In a truly astonishing display, Chains Of Love, despite commencing from barrier 12 and enduring a run five-wide without cover, ultimately prevailed over Band Of Brothers in a thrilling finish.
This significant win represents the second consecutive Kosciuszko triumph for trainers Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich, who achieved a similar success with Clear Thinking in the previous year.
Messara was left astounded by Chains Of Love’s tenacity, highlighting the exceptional ground the mare covered and her remarkable stamina to catch Band Of Brothers in the closing stages.
“I thought she was going to run last- I don’t know how she won,” Messara stated.
“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.”
Chains Of Love, the $5 second favourite, bred and owned by Arrowfield Stud principal John Messara and ridden by Zac Lloyd, showed impressive resolve to reel in Band Of Brothers ($9) by a head, with the $4.80 favourite So You Pence a length back in third.
Jockey Zac Lloyd explained his tactical decision to remain wide was dictated by the moderate pace and the mare’s size.
“Obviously you don’t want to be four and five wide but they weren’t going quick,” Lloyd said.
“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’s lineage, by I Am Invincible from Group 1 Thousand Guineas victor Stay With Me, a daughter of the acclaimed Miss Finland, means her Kosciuszko victory dramatically enhances her value as a broodmare.
“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.”
Keep an eye on the racing odds for Chains Of Love’s future starts.