Outstanding three-year-old Madison County repaid his many supporters when he carried the favourite's tag to a comprehensive victory in the Group I Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Pins gelding had jumped to the top of the pre-race betting markets when he took out the Gr.2 Hawkes Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings in October.
Despite a slight hiccup when finishing
third in his final lead-up run at Te Rapa, punters never wavered in their faith
in the China Horse Club-owned galloper as he delivered in fine style, courtesy
of an ice-cool ride by jockey Matthew Cameron.
Positioned on the rail behind a solid early speed, Cameron had Madison County ticking over nicely approaching the home turn, before finding clear-air in the straight.
Madison County quickly mastered fellow Cambridge raider Dawn Patrol as he dashed away to win by two and a half lengths with Sir Nate closing gamely for third.
It was Cameron's second win in the race after he piloted Xtravagant to victory in 2015, although after turning down the mount on stablemate and rival The Chosen One, he was quick to admit he hadn't always pulled the right rein when choosing a ride in the event.
"I've had a few practice runs and finally got the right one," he said.
"That's no disrespect to The Chosen One, as he is a beautiful colt, but maybe it's just a little before his time.
"Madison County just proved he is the best three-year-old around.
"They went quick down the back, then slowed up and were all bunched up. I opted to come off into a bit better ground as I know he has an electric turn of foot and a few of them were stopping.
"He got through and was very dominant."
Co-trainer Andrew Forsman admitted there had been some minor concerns prior to the race given the Riccarton surface had been subjected to heavy rainfall in the preceding 48 hours, but as the day proceeded it continued to dry.
"I guess there was a query on the track which was a little bit niggly," he said.
"I think the horse to beat, Dawn Patrol, had to make his run on the inside which helped us a lot as Matt got a beautiful run just off the fence.
"This was our number one target as we had labelled him a Guineas horse after he won his two-year-old race last season.
"Everything has gone right, thankfully."
Forsman was also pleased to secure the victory for the gelding's owners who have invested heavily in New Zealand and are one of the dominant ownership forces in world racing.
"It's great for New Zealand racing to have them (China Horse Club) involved in the New Zealand thoroughbred industry," he said.
"To get a result like this is hopefully going to produce future investment from them."
China Horse Club Chairman Teo Ah Khing was on course at Riccarton to see Madison County triumph in the three-year-old feature.
Bred by Garry Chittick, Madison County was a $36,000 purchase by Michael Wallace on behalf of the China Horse Club from Waikato Stud's Select Sale draft at the 2017 National Yearling Sale at Karaka. He is from Red Delicious, who descends from Golden Slipper winner Courtza, the dam of champion sire O'Reilly. – NZ Racing Desk
