Well over six years ago the three-year-old gelding Destiny's Kiss made his career debut for trainer Robert Smerdon over 1300 metres on the Geelong Synthetic track.
He finished second that day, the same result as his next start over the same track and distance.
He then won at Moonee Valley before returning at four to run up a sequence of wins at Moonee Valley twice and three at Mornington.
In April of his 4yo year, Destiny's Kiss made his first start for new trainer Joe Pride who may have thought the best days were behind the son of Power Of Destiny because it took him five starts to breakthrough.
That came at Rosehill in June 2015 and the very next start won his first stakes race, the Winter Cup over 2400 metres on the same track defeating the Group I BMW Stakes winner Fiumicino. That was the start of an amazing run in Cup races.
The Stayers Cup over 3200m at Randwick, the Gosford Gold Cup, the Australia Day Cup in 2016 and 2017, the Christmas Cup, the Tattersalls Gold Cup and the Wyong Cup fell to the mighty midget.
So, owner Nick Moraitis already had a new trophy cabinet by the time Destiny's Kiss charged home to earn a second Listed Tattersalls Gold Cup (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Carrying 60kg with Jay Ford in the saddle and conceding his four rivals between 6.5 and 7kgs, the 9yo gelding showed his ferocious will to win had not dimmed over the years when climbing off the canvas to defeat the favourite Alward (IRE) by a neck with Admiral Jello three-quarter of a length back in third. (photo Steve Hart)
Retained to race by his breeder Nick Moraitis when failing to make his $8,000 reserve at the 201o Inglis Classic Yearling sale, Destiny's Kiss advanced his record to 17 wins, 5 seconds and 10 thirds from 75 starts with earnings of $1,261,618.
"I don't know how I'm going to replace a horse like him," Pride said.
"I've had better horses, quite a few, but none as gallant, he's amazing. He's just such a courageous little horse.
"When the rain came I knew we were a chance, but I still had a healthy respect for the younger horses that were going to get a lot of weight off him."
A half-brother to another good money spinner, Emerald City (Bernardini), Destiny's Kiss is out of the stakes-placed Stravinsky (USA) mare A Fairy's Kiss who is a sister to Listed stakes winner and Group 1 VRC Oaks runner-up Miss Scarlatti and a half-sister to Listed stakes winner Abidewithme (Redoute's Choice).
A Fairy's Kiss has a 2yo colt by Pierro named Live The Moment and a Star Witness yearling filly. She was not covered last year.
Power of Destiny last stood in 2015 when he covered five mares.
