Photo: Chanelle Lawson
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
Demolition Man has been the perennial bridesmaid for much of his career, but that title was shed at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday when he was victorious in the Kidz Kartz Course Starts Jan 18 Book Today Trot (2200m).
The five-year-old entire had finished runner-up in half of his previous 22 starts, but it was lucky number 23 that had his connections celebrating an elusive win.
The Majestic Son entire began well from his wide draw and took an early sit behind Keystone Comet, who set a genuine tempo up front. Demolition Man enjoyed the soft run in the trail and he was able to utilise the passing lane to run away to a three-quarter of a length victory over Doris Rae, with Sky High Flyer a further neck back in third.
“He is a real honest little trier, he is just a lovely horse,” trainer Trevor Phillips said. “I am happy, but the owners are absolutely rapt that he finally got there.”
Demolition Man has been plagued by breathing issues his entire career and Phillips said the addition of a Cornell Collar worked well on Thursday.
“We have put the Cornell Collar on which seems to have worked, so it’s just a matter of onwards and upwards from here,” he said.
While pleased with his consistent performances over the past two seasons, Phillips admitted it was a little frustrating finishing runner-up all the time.
“He was doing his best all the time, but it did become a bit frustrating (not winning),” Phillips said. “But I am really happy with the win today. He is as honest as they come and you would love to have a few like him in your stable.
“He is paying his way, so you can’t ask for any more than that.”
The win was also Phillips’ first since 2019.
“I don’t work a big team, but he is a nice wee horse. It is good to get back in the winner’s circle again after two years,” he said.
Demolition Man will now return to Cambridge Raceway over the next month before likely heading for an operation.
“I have got to get the ownership group together and decide what we do,” Phillips said.
“He will likely start again next Thursday. I think there are four more meetings at Cambridge over the next month, so as long as he handles it, he will go around in each of them.
“He will handle the step up, he has got the game. He steps and has got the manners, which will take a trotter a long way.
“He is going to have his palate operated on at some stage to try and stop him from flipping his palate. The Cornell Collar is doing its job at the moment, so we will leave that on for a while.”
