The EL Camino REal at Golden Gates yesterday provided one of the best  finishes I have seen in a long time. LUCKY CHAPPY an ex Italian colt I bought for Barry Irwin, was just beaten a nose ( well a nostril) in a thrilling race.

LUCKY CHAPPY was an unlucky horse though and in my view was the best horse on the day. As usual he missed the jump and trailed the field by some 20 lengths. Once put into overdrive by Alan Garcia he rounded all his competitors and just failed to prevail.

Were it not for having come five wide throughout the last 1/2 mile of the race and being bumped in the stretch I think he would have won.

However credit to the horse, as he is one of the most gutsy performers I have seen.

I don't know where the owners are thinking of running next, but I hope they take him to Dubai for the UAE Derby on World Cup night.