The well-known colours of the powerful China Horse Club were to the fore at Hastings yesterday when Madison County produced a devastating sprint to capture the group two Hawke's Bay Guineas (1400m).
The stylish Pins gelding made it two wins from two starts at the Hastings track after he broke his maiden status there over 1300m in mid-April to round out his two-year-old season. From the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman stable, Madison County had opened his new campaign with a fast-finishing second to race rival Melt in the group three Northland Breeders' Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka last month.
This time the tables were turned as Madison County tracked Melt wherever she went in the early stages before dashing past the courageous filly in the final 100m of the contest. Melt lost no admirers with a gritty effort while locally trained runner King Louis fought bravely to finish up in third.
Regular rider Matt Cameron was delighted with the win after experiencing a home straight hiccup although his post-race thoughts proved rather prophetic as Madison County decided to end the interview rather abruptly.
"He had an awkward draw to contend with and I was three-wide but I had Melt in front of me so I knew I was following the second-best horse in the race," he said.
