Racing: Last start for Fields of Omagh

MELBOURNE - Fields of Omagh will equal the record set by 1940s champion mare Tranquil Star when he contests his fifth consecutive Cox Plate at Moonee Valley today.

Win, lose or draw it will be an emotional day for his owners who have decided it will be his last start.

Fields of Omagh, who will carry saddlecloth No 2, will lead out the field for the weight-for-age championship after David Moodie, the owner of Casual Pass (No 1), agreed to let him have the honour.

The Rubiton nine-year-old is to be retired to the "Living Legends" property near Tullamarine airport alongside other turf stars such as Better Loosen Up and Might And Power.

Part-owner and TVN racecaller Bryan Martin said Fields of Omagh would not be running today unless it was thought he would be as competitive as he has been throughout his 44-start career.

"He had to run well in the Yalumba to vindicate his place in the race," Martin said. "He was going to go out at $60 and just be making up the numbers. He had to do well and he did."

Having his third run this preparation, Fields of Omagh finished fourth to Cox Plate rivals Casual Pass, Pompeii Ruler and El Segundo in the Yalumba and was only 1 1/2 lengths from the winner.

Fields of Omagh has won 12 races and been placed 15 times for prizemoney of more than A$4.6 million ($5.3 million) with group one success in the Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last year.

- AAP