In horse racing sports, it takes a hoard full of skills and perseverance to make a comeback. However, there is something beyond the physical abilities of a horse that can help it to make a successful comeback. This elusive champion mentality was in show as a ten-year-old gelding renounced all doubters to seize the victory in the Geelong Cup.

Veteran stayer Amade stormed past the wire after an exhilarating run in the 2400-meter Geelong Cup with rider Zac Spain. The gelding had not won any races in 912 days, but as this turn of events made it apparent, you can never say never in horse racing.

Amade’s remarkable return to horse racing podium

Amade was the 33/1 outsider on Wednesday’s $500,000 Geelong Cup (2400m). The magnificent horse was able to defy the wintry weather at Breakwater with its hot and fiery run. Amade took the horse racing world by storm by maintaining a steady lead in a field of former champions. It seemed as if the horse knew that he had not won a race in a long time and was determined to prove himself. After the race, equestrian trainer Philip Stokes gave a revealing interview to Racing.com and said, “Fantastic. He’s been building up to this. His run in The Bart Cummings was good and was peaking today”. He was able to keep the six top finishers at half a length distance while showcasing exceptional agility.

His trainer was stoked by the victory and turned back the clock, saying, “It’s funny when you bring him back to a track where he missed the kick here by 12 lengths two years ago and got beaten four (lengths)”. The intelligent horse could detect that it had lost the lead at the start of the race and conserved its energy for the later course. Thankfully, his rider, Zac Spain, detected this strategy and let him take charge.

Spain said, “So we went to Plan B and rode him quietly…I knew he would always improve third-up. His third-up form is good – he’s three-from-three now. With the bit of rain and the sting out of the track, it benefited him being an older horse.” While Amade has more than proven its mettle, the racer’s future is still shrouded in uncertainty.

Uncertain future for Amade after Geelong Cup triumph

Amade returned $31 for every dollar bet on his run. With such impressive odds, it’s clear that Amade was an underdog in the Geelong Cup. However, he was able to regain his authority over horse racing with his latest triumph. One would think that this puts him in better standings for the upcoming races. But his owners at OTI Racing have decided otherwise. Terry Henderson, the managing owner of Amade, has decided to pull out the horse from the Melbourne Cup. After the Geelong Cup victory, Amade was the 40th entrant to the prestigious Melbourne Cup, but he will not race in the event.

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Instead, his owners have decided to enter Amade in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) that will take place in Flemington on November 11. Amade has a good chance of winning the Melbourne Cup, which is why the owner’s decision has not sat well with many. What are your thoughts?

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