HE'S won at Group level, he's won cup races and the Bathurst Gold Chalice and now Mat Rue's Fouroeight is a track record holder as well.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On Wednesday night at the Bathurst Paceway as trainer-driver Rue guided him to his 24th career victory, Fouroeight clocked a 1:52.2 mile rate.
It's the fastest mile rate ever recorded at the track, but Rue was not surprised with the effort from his Rock N Roll Heaven x Platinum Sign gelding.
"He's an absolute star. He's always been a star horse, he's a seven-year-old but he's only had the 80 starts so that's not a lot of racing," he said.
"He's actually eight it's just because of the different season it won't say that till January 1, so he really is an eight-year-old. He's raced at a good level his whole career and also he's been sparingly raced, so he's still on young legs.
"He went 1:50 last start at Menangle and a few years back he went 1:53.2 here on a blistering cold night in the middle of winter and I always said it would be a 1:51 run in summer."
While Fouroeight had to work three wide after going from barrier eight on Wednesday, by the 1,200m mark he had the lead. He blazed home in a 27.6 seconds final sectional to win by 13.7m.
"Believe it or not, if he was in race here where someone else set those crazy sectionals in front, I think he could run a 1:51 with a sit. He's never been a real sensational runner in front event though his two real quick times in Bathurst have come from in front," Rue said.
"He's crazy fast and he's really, really enjoying his racing now, that's for sure.
"I've held a record as driver, but not with training my own horse and he also equalled Smithstars Lexus with the most wins around the Bathurst track too, I think they are both on 17 wins at the track which is good going in itself."
