Wherever Bonecrusher went, he left unforgettable memories.
And that was no different for those punters and officials who were at Wingatui in 1988 when Big Red came to town to compete in the White Robe Lodge Handicap.
The equine hero of the 1980s was put down on Wednesday morning aged 32 and buried at Ellerslie racecourse, the scene of several of his major victories during his heyday.
His greatest triumph was in the 1986 Cox Plate when he wore down a game (Our) Waverley Star in a hammer-and-tongs battle down the straight, but his visit to Wingatui 16 months later is like ''yesterday'' to the race caller on that day, Rob Fielder.
''It was a great day - it was one of the biggest crowds I had ever seen at Wingatui,'' Fielder said from Christchurch last night.
''I'd say it was one of the highlights of my calling career.''
Fielder recalled cars parked all the way along Gladstone Rd North around to Puddle Alley, as racing fans fought for a glimpse of the Crusher.
''I was excited because it was a big day - and everything went OK so that was the main thing and the right horse won.''
The result did look in doubt as Bonecrusher and his jockey, Gary Stewart, battled Robinski and local hoop Paul Richards down the home straight to win by a head, despite carrying 4kg more than his main rival.
''I spoke to Gary Stewart afterwards and I said, 'I bet you were worried', and he said, 'No, it was never in doubt', but in the back of my mind I was thinking he left things pretty late.''
Fielder, who retires from the judge's role at Riccarton at the end of this season, recalls the race clearly, but was surprised and pleased to hear the race commentary was available on YouTube.
''I don't think I've ever heard it since the day I called it.''
What Bonecrusher did in his 3 and 4yr-old seasons had never been achieved in Australasia and is not likely to be repeated.
As a 3yr-old, he won seven consecutive races, including the New Zealand Derby, Air New Zealand Stakes, Tancred Stakes and the AJC Derby.
As a 4yr-old, he won five races including four Australian group 1s - the Underwood Stakes, Caulfield Stakes, Cox Plate and Australian Cup.
He won nine group 1 races among his 18 victories from 880m to 2400m with all but three of his wins being at group or listed level.
Champion jockey Lance O'Sullivan, on the wrong end of the result in the Race of the Century, had reason to detest Bonecrusher, but had nothing but admiration despite seeing mainly his backside in races.
''I finished second in a stack of group 1 races to Bonecrusher,'' O'Sullivan said yesterday.
''He beat me on Flight Bijou in the Derby, on Waverley Star in the Cox Plate and on Horlicks in the New Zealand Stakes.
''He was a very, very hard horse to get past. He was tough, tough.''
- Additional reporting Mike Dillon, The New Zealand Herald
Bonecrusher
At a glance
44 starts: 18 wins (9 group1s ), 5 seconds, 12 thirds
