Racing: Bonecrusher still a Cox Plate attraction

Sharlene Mitchell enjoys looking after Bonecrusher. Picture / Kenny Rodger

The 20th anniversary of Bonecrusher's heart-thumping duel with (Our) Waverley Star to win the Cox Plate will be celebrated tomorrow with the great horse himself the guest of honour.

Still enjoying life on owner Peter Mitchell's property at Takanini, the 24-year-old is in fine health.

Mitchell's daughter Sharlene briefly tried to teach him dressage after his retirement but Bonecrusher had other ideas.

"He wouldn't have a bar of that. In fact he hated it," Sharlene Mitchell said.

"His health is fine and sometimes his head still tells him he's a two-year-old rather than a 24-year-old.

"To mark Cox Plate weekend I will be giving him a bath to get rid of the rest of his winter coat.

"Each year I bring him into work and get him fit."

As Bonecrusher enjoys a leisurely day, another great New Zealand Cox Plate winner may well be hard at work.

Sunline is currently at Arrowfield Stud in NSW where she is awaiting the arrival of her latest foal.

The dual Cox Plate winner gave birth to a Zabeel colt on Cox Plate day last year and will be served by Redoute's Choice once her Rock of Gibraltar foal is born.

Sunline's first foal, a filly by Rock Of Gibraltar, is expected to be seen on the racetrack in the autumn.

- AAP