Chains Of Love's stunning Kosciuszko win defies the odds
In a truly remarkable turn of events, Chains Of Love, despite her challenging draw and a run wide for the entirety of the race, managed to surge past Band Of Brothers in a thrilling conclusion.
This victory marks a consecutive win in The Kosciuszko for the training partnership of Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich, who also tasted success with Clear Thinking last year.
Paul Messara was left in disbelief by Chains Of Love's extraordinary effort, given the vast amount of ground she covered and her ability to still find the necessary reserves to overhaul Band Of Brothers in a gripping finish.
"I thought she was going to run last- I don't know how she won,'' Messara admitted.
"It was a great win. We were five deep from the start and honestly I thought we had no hope.
"It was an amazing effort by our horse."
The mare, Chains Of Love, sent off at $5, bred and owned by Arrowfield Stud's John Messara, and ridden by Zac Lloyd, demonstrated immense grit to deny Band Of Brothers ($9), winning by a head. So You Pence, the $4.80 favourite, was a length adrift in third.
Jockey Zac Lloyd revealed that his only option was to maintain a wide position, focusing on keeping Chains Of Love in her rhythm.
"Obviously you don't want to be four and five wide but they weren't going quick,'' Lloyd explained.
"She is very big and I'd much rather be there than in on the fence. I was just focusing on her.
"It was a bit like a trackwork gallop because I was just trying to keep her in a rhythm.
"I just trusted that she will pick up and go through her gears. She's a big horse and needs a bit of space to wind up but she is very tenacious.
"Full credit to Paul and Leah. To get this horse here first-up and with a tough run to be as gritty as she was the last 50m. All credit to them - I didn't do much. It helps being on fast horses."
Chains Of Love boasts an exceptional pedigree, being a daughter of I Am Invincible and the Group 1 Thousand Guineas winner Stay With Me, who is a progeny of the celebrated mare Miss Finland. This Kosciuszko win undoubtedly propels her value as a broodmare prospect to extraordinary heights.
"We set her up for this race a long time ago and it is nice when a plan comes off,'' Messara commented.
"She is a trouble-free mare, straight forward to train, but we have been patient with her, she is lightly raced with a lot of upside.
"We thought if we could set her for this race, she could run well. It's amazing with the run she had that she was able to win."
Those keen on online bookmakers will be watching Chains Of Love's future performances closely.
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