Last September, Phillip O’Shea returned from working as a builder in London to see Vonusti (5 Br. G. Ustinov – Reasonably, by Sound Reason) race for the first time, and celebrated with his father Tom and fellow owner Ramesh Patel after their pride and joy won the $1,000,000, Group I, The Oaks Stud Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Trentham racecourse in Wellington on Saturday.

O’Shea had been in the practise of setting the alarm to listen on the radio to the only horse he owns, but was on hand to see the athletic galloper resume from a spell with a dominant win at Ellerslie in the spring.

Five starts on, Vonusti had posted another smart win at Tauranga last start, and advanced his record to eight victories from eighteen starts, for stakes of $733,088.

Celebrating afterwards, O’Shea was somewhat blown away by the success.

“I still can’t believe it. It seems totally surreal. It’s like winning lotto. I’m working as a builder for my old boss back in Hawera and thought I might wait until this race before deciding what I’m up to, but I’m going on holiday now”, said O’Shea.

With usual pilot Noel Harris in the saddle, the Tim and Margaret Carter-trained Vonusti settled at the rear of the field from a wide draw, as Coup Align (Align) ensured a genuine pace.

Tracking up wide with cover, yet still seven lengths off the lead with 400 metres to travel, Vonusti unleashed a sensational burst that carried him to the lead wide on the track inside the final 150 metres, before coasting home to score by two lengths.

On rain-affected footing that saw the track downgrade from Dead6 to Slow7 following race one, Vonusti was still able to cover the 1200 metres, run down a chute before joining the course proper at the 500 metres, in 1:09.36, despite never being entirely comfortable in the ground.

Harris said, “He didn’t travel that good, but I knew his capabilities, knew he was the goods, and thought he could pick them up.”

“I’ve thought since the first time I rode this horse that I would stick with him. It’s magic to win a group one, any race is good.”

“I’ve always thought this horse could be anything, and there’s plenty more in store.”

Second in the race went to Tootsie (Pins), trained by Mike and Paul Moroney, while Stupendous (Pentire) continued his rise through the grades when finishing third for trainer Kevin Myers.

The $17.40 & $4.80 dividend returned by Vonusti said more for the strength of the field, more so than his winning prospects, and had many cheering his return.

Tim Carter, a former flanker for the Maori All Blacks, 1973-78, was humbled by the victory.

“I’m a little bit speechless”, said Carter. “Noel had faith in this horse. He has stuck with us and we have stuck with him. I’m so wrapt for Noel and the owners for having the faith to stay with us.”

“They could have gone to a bigger stable and maybe got the same result, but they stuck with us.”

“Noel suits this horse so well. Getting him to relax and rounding them up.”

Accepting the trophy on behalf of the owners, Ramesh Patel said, “Noel you’re still as good as you ever were, so thanks mate. Noel has always given us plenty of encouragement about this horse.”

Having recently celebrated his fifty-fifth birthday, Harris is by no means considering retirement from the saddle.

“Another year or two and we (Harris and wife, Kylie) might have paid for the beach house, but my weights good and I’m as fit as ever – still at the top of my game and while I can still match it with the likes of Bosson and McDonald I’ll still compete”, said Harris.