Lucky

[Messenger]

Good weather here for a little research

The bulk of Lucky Creed's winning streak of 24 was achieved in a mere 45 days
He won 14 races in 6½ weeks
between Nov.1 and Dec.15, 1969

Twice he won races on consecutive days
6 wins were at Harold Park and 4 were at Menangle

Pretty much a lifetime of ownership hopes packed into 6 weeks

Amazing

[Beltane]

I still get goose bumps thinking about the night I saw Cocky Raider defeat Lucky Creed to end his run of 24 wins at Harold Park.

An extract from Jim Hogan's biography of Cocky Raider sums up that almighty clash:

"...On 23-1-70 he lined up in a FFA for his new owners with a new trainer/driver, Kevin Robinson. He ran one of the worst races of his career finishing last to Lucky Creed on level terms. There was some ‘discussion’ that maybe he wasn’t as good as the money they paid for him suggested he should be! It was suggested that he should be transferred back to his original trainer, with Gordon McWilliam to drive him in the Australia Day Cup to ‘prove a point’! To their everlasting credit the new owners agreed to the request and he lined up in the cup with his regular driver aboard. It was not going to be easy! He was handicapped off 24 yards and was giving 12 yards start to Lucky Creed who had won his last 24 races straight and was THE glamour horse of Australian harness racing at the moment! The scene was set for a memorable clash if McWilliam could get the best out of little ‘Cocky’.

Royal Society led early while Lucky Creed was quickly into the coveted 1×1 trail. With a lap and a half to go there were some challengers coming from the rear so Vic Frost sent Lucky Creed to the front. Down the back straight for the last time, Lucky Creed raced 4 lengths clear and looked all over a winner but Gordon Mcwilliam sprinted Cocky Raider strongly after the leader and was only a head behind him on the home turn. The race was on in earnest between these two great pacers with nothing else a chance. For the entire length of the HP straight these two champions fought a terrific two horse war with nothing between them and the crowd going wild with excitement. Right on the line little ‘Cocky’, his big heart bursting with the strain, put his nose in front to win by just half a head and end the 24 race winning streak of Lucky Creed. He returned to the judge to receive one of the greatest ovations ever accorded a pacer at HP, the sort of reception normally reserved for Inter Dominion’s won by local pacers such as Hondo Grattan and Smooth Satin. The crowd knew they had witnessed one of the greatest clashes ever and showed their appreciation with prolonged cheering and clapping. It was one of those races that instantly become a classic and are never forgotten..."


You can read Jim's great biographies of both champions on the links below:

http://www.harnessbred.com/story-no-14-cocky-raider/

http://www.harnessbred.com/story-no-15-lucky-creed/

[Messenger]

Great stuff, thanks Steve