Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
What a difference three weeks has made in the life of rugged stayer Final Return (Reliable Man).
The durable son of the ill-fated Westbury Stud stallion Reliable Man had held the start up for over five minutes at his last run at Ellerslie due to a pre-race issue with the bandages he wears when racing in the right-handed direction.
Despite the upset that day, the seven-year-old had gone a top race for trainer Janelle Millar and stripped even fitter on Saturday for his tilt at the time-honoured Gr.3 Eagle Technology Avondale Cup (2400m).
Punters overlooked the chances of the 2025 Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m) winner to their ultimate peril as regular pilot Chris Dell had the $34 chance travelling nicely in midfield during the running despite having to sit three wide throughout.
Dell crept forward on his mount at the 800m and was soon disputing the pace with leaders Just Charlie and Diamond Jak before drawing clear turning for home.
Left a sitting duck in front with 400m to run Final Return never flinched as he held out the determined challenge of Aussie visitor Brayden Star by a short head at the line, with Just Charlie fighting on doggedly for third just ahead of the fast-finishing Kiwi Skyhawk.
Millar cut an emotional figure as she praised her charge and his never-say-die attitude.
“It is so satisfying and I will never get sick of this as I’m just so proud,” Millar said.
“Chris did what I thought he would do as there were a couple on paper that would go forward and I knew we would take some time to get over (closer to the rail).
“He moved at the right time and he rode him just so well.
“This was our aim as the stepping stone to the Auckland Cup (Gr.2, 3200m) in a fortnight.
“He went into this race last year and didn’t have a very good trip and this year he is a bit stronger and is doing everything right.
“Being by Reliable Man, who died yesterday, it was a bit sad, so we told him he was flying the flag for his Dad.”
Dell was also battling tears as he thanked Millar for her help in resurrecting his riding career.
“Janelle has helped me resurge (sic) my career,” he said.
“I had John Sargent supporting me when I was an apprentice and then I went through a flat spot with a broken leg and a brain injury.
“My move to the Central Districts in 2020 has been the resurgence of my career and Janelle has been so supportive, as if I ride them at the trials or in trackwork for her, she puts me on and we get results like this.
“Kudos to Janelle and the horse.
“He has been screaming out for this sort of distance and his consistency in these races has been just so good, I let Opie Bosson (Brayden Star) cross me and I knew following him wasn’t too bad.
“He dropped 5kgs (on his last race) and I knew this guy doesn’t have the best turn of foot, so I took off early and put the pressure on as I knew he wasn’t going to stop.”
By Reliable Man, who was humanely euthanised at his Westbury Stud home on Friday after failing to overcome post-surgery complications following the removal of a melanoma, Final Return has now won over $432,000 from four career victories over his 28-start career.
TAB Bookmakers have installed him as a $6 Fixed Odds chance behind favourite Brayden Star ($3.50) for the Auckland Cup at Ellerslie on Saturday 7 March.
