Racing: From the worst to the best moments of his life

Xcellent co-owner Kevin Algie. Picture / Richard Robinson

A month ago Kevin Algie thought he might not see another Derby.

At Ellerslie yesterday, thanks to a double dose of heart medication, he watched his own horse Xcellent dash away with the $500,000 Mercedes Derby.

Last month Algie was preparing for a half-marathon when he collapsed.

Two of four heart valves were defective, and the Auckland chief executive of Empire Motors went into emergency theatre to become New Zealand's 81st recipient of revolutionary surgery.

A pale and shaky Algie, 45, received the Derby trophy on behalf of 20 owners of Xcellent.

Algie thanked surgeon Peter Raudivi for being responsible for allowing him his biggest moment in racing.

As the principal of GKV Holdings, Algie has raced a long list of horses, the best of them before yesterday Chieron.

Ellerslie is his track. He lives overlooking the 1200m starting point of the track and "wandered over after a double shot of my medication to see the horse win".

His surgeon knew how much the moment meant to him.

"He said if Xcellent won I was allowed to have a drink - one beer, one champagne and one red wine. I'm off to have them."

Algie admitted the past month has been the worst of his life and yesterday was the best moment.

"The recovery was very stormy. It makes you realise what life is all about."

He was happy the media pressure eased off Xcellent, in part because the decision had been made not to run the 3-year-old after his win at his second start at Ellerslie on November 27.

"I felt there was a lot of pressure on Cheval De Troy," he said of the favourite for yesterday's race.

While Xcellent came from near last to win in what was just his third start yesterday, the hot favourite Cheval De Troy cost punters a fortune when he failed to stay.

He had a good trip close to the pace and hit the lead at the top of the straight but was run down, finishing only fourth.

Afterwards his connections believed Cheval De Troy struggled with the 2400m and would in future be better suited to 2000m racing.

But it was not all bad news for punters, with Xcellent the second favourite.