There can’t be too many arguments if you are talking about “The Horse with the Big Heart” you are talking about The Big Goodbye.
His tenacity, doggedness, and will to win were all on display again on Saturday when he finished a remarkable second for the second consecutive time in the $160,000 Listed Chief de Beers at Doomben – this time carrying a whopping 6.5kgs more than the winner Golden Boom.
One thing we can’t forget also is this bloke is a real talent, a horse any stable or owner would love to have and as trainer Rob Heathcote quipped post-race at Doomben “Can you find me anymore like him”
RARE TALENT
The problem is horses like The Big Goodbye are hard to find, “A true diamond in the rough”.
You all know the story by now, purchased as a tried horse out of Adelaide for just $100,000 The Big Goodbye has now gone on to win 8 times for the Qld Rogues amassing over $700,000 in prize money.
Rob was over the moon with the effort in the Chief de Beers. “That effort from your lad to concede 6.5 kilos to the winner and be narrowly beaten. The Big Gee has paid a penalty for his consistency but that’s what handicap racing is all about. Bugger, he was narrowly beaten in this race last year so now that’s two narrow defeats in the Chief De Beers “
“He was superbly ridden by Zac Lloyd so he gave him every chance.” Rob said.
With the big weight advantage the winner was just too good on a day where leaders had a big advantage.
“He ran great this horse. There is still a really good race win in him!” Jockey Zac Lloyd
WHAT’S NEXT
The win also left jockey Martin Harley with a massive smile after the race with The Big Goodbye quickly becoming one of his favourites.
Harley, told Trent Akers from the Courier Mail he reckons he hasn’t sat on a horse as fast as The Big Goodbye since he won the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas in January and it proved to be true as he powered to another win.
The popular Irishman has been on the sidelines nursing a neck injury, but landed his first winner since taking out the $3m feature in January when he took an unconventional route to knock over the likes of Prince Of Boom, Zarastro, Nettuno and All That Pizzazz.
“He is the fastest horse I have ridden since Abounding in the Magic Millions, she is the last winner I rode as well,” a relieved Harley said.
“It is nice to get back in the winners’ circle, not many jockeys can make slow horses run fast but when you have a horse that tries, it is a big help.
“He is an unbelievable horse who wears his heart on his sleeve.
“There was speed on today so we elected to conserve the energy instead and get a nice run up the inside.
“It helped to have a willing partner today.” Harley said he’s keen to stick with the Big G throughout his Winter Campaign.