"If this horse wins the Australian Guineas, and it's on his programme, no stud in New Zealand would be able to afford to buy him. Some of those studs have invested in him as a yearling."
Although Riccarton raced fairly fast all day, the 1.33.59 is remarkable for a spring 3-year-old. It is significant the two other 1600m times on the day were 1.35.16 (Sanasar) and the 1.37.29 Teddytwinkletoes recorded in the last.
Even more remarkably, rider Matt Cameron said Xtravagant was not flat out even after putting an eight and a half length gap on the opposition.
"He had a bit left," said a stunned Cameron. "You wait your lifetime to see a performance like that."
Even Ron Dufficy and Richard Freedman on Racing Retro yesterday morning were staggered by Xtravagant's effort. Fellow panel member, former Cambridge trainer Bjorn Baker, said: "Guys, if there is one New Zealand race you need to follow the form from, it's the 2000 Guineas. The last three winners have been Turn Me Loose, Atlante and Sacred Falls. Jimmy Choux won in 2010."
Xtravagant is a brother to He's Remarkable, whose group one relegation after winning in Perth will forever remain a blight on Australian racing. The whole sad episode is one of the biggest rorts created in Australia.
Steven Autridge, who co-trains Xtravagant in partnership with Jamie Richards, rated the win just about the highlight of his career - and what a career it's been. In 1981 when he was riding the incomparable Altitude he had a dual jockey/training licence, something that is being introduced to Australia only next year.
"I was living in Te Aroha and started training there on my own. Not long after I gave it all away and went to Sydney." In Australia Autridge was foreman for Paul Sutherland for four years then trained on his own for a further two.
"After those six years David Ellis convinced me to come back to New Zealand and I trained at Te Akau for five years. I was then out on my own for three years, with Graeme Rogerson for six years, Keith Hawtin for two years and back on my own for a further five years."
Autridge now finds himself back at Te Akau and knows what a wonderful opportunity he has. My record says I can train winners, but when you get horses of this quality to look after you've got so many more opportunities."
The win shocked Autridge as much as it did all of us. "Honestly, I've never been happier with a horse going into a major race, but not in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine he could win like he did.
"The wonderful thing is he was the last horse to pull up and he went home and licked his bowl clean."
Autridge seems like he has been around forever, but presents the youthful image of a newcomer.
"I'm 55 going on 37."
That was closer to 17 late on Saturday at Riccarton.
