Joe Pride admits he’s trained better horses, though Destiny’s Kiss is still a priceless member of his stable.
The nine-year-old gelding finished a 10-race campaign on a high at Randwick, wearing down his rivals in the Listed City Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m).
It his second black-type win of this preparation following the Wyong Gold Cup, and a fitting finale as he heads for a short break after his 17th win from 75 starts.
“He’s an amazing horse, I still can get over him,” Pride said.
“He scraped his way through to a million and I thought that will just about do you. Now’s he’s nearly earned $1.3 (million), he just keeps going.”
Destiny’s Kiss ($4.60) gave his rivals at least 6kg before he rallied late with Jay Ford to beat the $2.40 favourite Alward by a neck.
Admiral Jello ($3.80) was three-quarters of a length back in third.
“I don’t know how I replace a horse like him. I’ve had better horses than him, quite a few, but none as gallant,” Pride said.
“He’s a courageous little horse and he carries these big weights so well.
“He’s been waiting around for a while for that rain (Friday) and he’s got his reward.”
Pride said Destiny’s Kiss would be freshened up for a summer campaign featuring a defence of the Christmas Cup at Randwick in December.
Destiny’s Kiss gave jockey Jay Ford a race-to-race double after he won the Highway Handicap on She Knows.
“Once he got round the turn he started to rally and he started to reel them in slowly. The last furlong he really powered to the line,” Ford said.
“I kept at him and at the 200 (metres) I knew he’d get there.”
