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Far Too Easy overcomes the odds to win Kosciuszko

Six months after cheating death, Far Too Easy has scored an emotional Kosciuszko win.

FAR TOO EASY winning the THE KOSCIUSZKO at Randwick in Australia.
FAR TOO EASY winning the THE KOSCIUSZKO at Randwick in Australia. Picture: Steve Hart

It has been a case of third time lucky for remarkable gelding Far Too Easy, who has capped his storied career with a stunning victory in the $2 million The Kosciuszko at Randwick.

Having placed behind Front Page in the country feature for the past two years, Far Too Easy finally got the better of his arch-rival on Saturday, courtesy of a brilliant tactical ride by Craig Williams.

His victory was an emotional one for Murwillumbah trainer David Mccolm, who admitted thoughts of tackling a third Kosciuszko (1200m) was the furthest thing from his thoughts when the horse almost died from acute colitis in April.

"It has been a turbulent year for us and for him to come out and do this, I am so proud of him," McColm said.

"He's our mate. He is part of our family.

"My dream has come true and not just for us, but for this horse. He's been such a special animal to all of us and he deserves his name in the Kosciuszko record books."

It isn't the first time Far Too Easy has overcome adversity, surviving being swept away in floodwaters prior to finishing fourth in the 2022 Country Championships then overcoming a skin infection to line up in last year's Kosciuszko, in which he finished third.

"We've been through a lot with this horse. He's had his ups and downs," McColm said.

"This year, he got very ill and I never, ever thought we'd be back for another Kosciuszko tilt.

"But he has come through today and he's done what he does, he tries."

Connections hatched a plan to put Far Too Easy ($4.80) on the speed, stalking Front Page ($2.60 fav) who took up his customary leadership role.

The pair kicked clear at the top of the straight to fight the race out and this time, it was Far Too Easy who came out on top, eventually putting 2-1/4 lengths on Front Page with Tanglewood ($16) doing his best work late, another three-quarters of a length away third.

The Victorian-based Williams made a flying visit to Queensland to partner the six-year-old in a barrier trial earlier this month but played down his role in the Kosciuszko win.

"This is a perfect example of a great horseman with a great horse that he has been able to nurture and develop, and then bring him back from the brink of (nearly) not even having a horse. It's really quite special," Williams said.

Jockey James Mcdonald  said Front Page tried hard in his attempt at a third consecutive Kosciuszko win.

"He was brave in defeat. He gave his all," McDonald said.


Racing and Sports

Randwick

Saturday, 19th October 2024

5
ET

THE KOSCIUSZKO

Age: 3yo and up Type: OPEN
6 f TURF SOFT
5

(local)
AUD $2,000,000
6 f SOFT

THE KOSCIUSZKO

Age: 3yo and up Type: OPEN


FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 2. FAR TOO EASY (AUS) 6yo G
ALL TOO HARD (AUS) - MNEMONIC (AUS)
CRAIG WILLIAMS
DAVID MCCOLM
$4.8
59kg
D McColm, Mrs J L Mccolm, D J Wardlaw & Mrs M M Wardlaw

Sales Information

2nd 3. FRONT PAGE (AUS) 8yo G
MAGNUS (AUS) - STACEY LEE (AUS)
JAMES MCDONALD
MATTHEW DALE
$2.6
59kg
P M Duryea, M G Duryea, Ms B M Duryea, J N Edmunds, M K S Goodger, Miss P A Lindsay, A T Cronin, Mrs C L Wallace, M Owen, Barwood Racing (Mgr: K P Naish), S McLellan, A L Apps & S J Gray
3rd 12. TANGLEWOOD (AUS) 5yo G
SMART MISSILE (AUS) - VINCERE LASS (AUS)
JOSH PARR
TODD HOWLETT
$16
55.5kg
R A Dillon, T S Howlett, D E Dalton, Mrs C M Dalton, K D Adamson & Mrs A R Adamson
4th 5. BOOM TORQUE (AUS) 5yo G
SPIRIT OF BOOM (AUS) - OUTBACK SAGA (AUS)
NASH RAWILLER
MATTHEW DUNN
$7
59kg

Sales Information

5th 9. ASGARDA (AUS) 5yo M
THE BROTHERS WAR (USA) - MINSK (AUS)
BILLY OWEN
DOUG GORREL
$26
56kg
6th 11. GALLANT STAR (AUS) 5yo G
ZOUSTAR (AUS) - MISS VALOR (AUS)
JASON COLLETT
BRETT ROBB
$9.5
55.5kg

Sales Information

7th 10. TRIBECA STAR (AUS) 5yo G
STAR TURN (AUS) - CLASSY MANHATTAN (AUS)
BLAKE SHINN
MATTHEW DUNN
$13
56kg

Sales Information

8th 4. AT WITZ END (AUS) 9yo G
EPAULETTE (AUS) - HERE'S THE END (AUS)
SAMANTHA COLLETT
DANIEL BOWEN
$31
59kg
9th 6. ELSON BOY (NZ) 5yo G
EL ROCA (AUS) - CARAMIA (NZ)
TOMMY BERRY
DAR LUNN
$31
58.5kg

Sales Information

10th 14. MARTINI MUMMA (AUS) 4yo M
PARIAH (AUS) - SILVER SPIRIT (AUS)
BRENTON AVDULLA
MATTHEW DALE
$61
53.5kg
11th 1. BANDI'S BOY (AUS) 5yo G
THE BROTHERS WAR (USA) - TIBIDABO (AUS)
JAY FORD
DANNY WILLIAMS
$26
60kg
12th 8. COMPELLING TRUTH (AUS) 5yo G
I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS) - SPEAK FONDLY (AUS)
MARK ZAHRA
MACK GRIFFITH
$21
58kg

Sales Information

13th 13. KREON (AUS) 4yo H
RULERSHIP (JPN) - SHIRAYUKI (JPN)
KERRIN MCEVOY
DANNY WILLIAMS
$81
55kg

Sales Information

14th 7. CAVALIER CHARLES (AUS) 8yo G
DENMAN (AUS) - OFFER IT UP (AUS)
NICK HEYWOOD
MATTHEW DALE
$51
58.5kg