KEY POINTS:
We've seen it a million times, but it's still remarkable how much adrenaline a big race can generate for the winning connections.
Cambridge trainer Ross McCarroll is as placid and co-operative as you would find, but he fired right up after Figure Of Speech raced clear in Saturday's $70,000 Kiwifruit Cup at Tauranga.
Mainly at the press.
"I can't believe this horse wasn't rated by you guys," said McCarroll with a fair bit of feeling. Figure Of Speech paid $16.90.
That's not an unusual response from a winning owner or trainer, but it's odd in a way.
If you're having a bet - and McCarroll has been known to - the less attention the press focus on your horse, the better off you are.
It's part of proving a point and McCarroll feels he has been justified with Figure Of Speech, who he has always believed is grossly underrated.
Saturday's winning rider Noel Harris agrees with him.
McCarroll thought enough of the horse to make plans to take him to the Queensland winter carnival.
"I had to cancel the trip when he developed a heart rhythm issue when he finished last here in April."
Figure Of Speech won well at Te Rapa on June 9, setting his trainer up for a crack at Saturday's decent prize.
McCarroll knew he'd picked the right race when the field approached the home turn.
"When he moved up to challenge I knew he must have been travelling well because Noel [Harris] never goes too early."
McCarroll paid $5000 for Figure Of Speech as a weanling and races him with his parents Bob and Aileen.
The trainer's overall record does not reflect his true talent - he has developed up and sold a massive percentage of the horses he begins with and his smallish racing team is made up of the residue.
"This horse was on the market," he said. "Ginger Tankard liked him and quoted him, but nothing came of it and eventually it was too late to sell, which is why we've still got him."
McCarroll is disappointed he didn't get to take Figure Of Speech to Queensland.
"The biggest thrill I've had was winning in Australia with Tombstone.
"It wasn't a big race, but it was the first time I'd taken a horse to the races over there and he won.
"I didn't have anything special planned for this horse, but there are plenty of second-tier races worth $100,000."
Figure Of Speech beat Jovial Jock at Te Rapa and the pair produced the quinella result again on Saturday.
They may do it three times straight because they are destined to meet again in the Taumarunui Gold Cup at Te Rapa in late July.
It was a game performance by Jovial Jock who set up a decent pace and looked likely to be swamped when the field straightened for the run in. He kept going bravely and was clearly holding second from the 150m.
Outsider Dead Rabbits set up a big trifecta result in finishing third and well-fancied Twinkling finished fourth.
The Tauranga surface, a lot better than expected by many, seemed to dramatically suit some horses, which might account for the number of clear-cut margins.
It might pay to not take too literally some of the beaten performances.
