Flemington

20 Last year I wrote these words about Subzero after he died at the grand equine age of 31 years, soon after the passing of his long-time custodian and friend, Graham Salisbury: “As a four-year-old grey gelding, still with a touch of black in his coat, Subzero in 1992 brilliantly won Australia’s greatest race, trained by Lee Freedman, expertly ridden by Greg Hall. He retired soon after with a racing record of six wins that included a South Australian Derby and the Adelaide Cup. But it was in retirement, as the mild-mannered mount of the Clerk of the Course – especially at Flemington, scene of his greatest racing victory – that Subzero began winning his way into the hearts of so many Australians. “Graham Salisbury trained Subzero so patiently, so skillfully, so lovingly into the role of Clerk of the Course that horse and handler then embarked on a further joint career, as unique racing ambassadors.” Before there was “Subbie” there was Shadow King – a hero on the track, a people’s favourite long after the racing career was over. era – Phar Lap, Peter Pan and Hall Mark – each of whom deprived him of a Melbourne Cup victory. He was a hero for the courage, consistency and endurance he showed on the racetrack. He was a celebrity because of what he did next. He was a bay gelding, son of the 1910 Melbourne Cup winner Comedy King, trained by Elwood Fisher at Flemington until 1935, and then by Roy McCormick at Mentone. Shadow King was small for a thoroughbred, but full of spirit. The racing record was impressive by any measure. Shadow King’s top class wins in more than 100 starts included the 1929 VRC Hotham Handicap (today’s Lexus Hotham Handicap), the 1930 Moonee Valley Cup, the 1930 Coongy Handicap and the 1931 Herbert Power at Caulfield, and the 1933 Williamstown Cup (the Zipping Classic). But his racing fame rests on his record six unsuccessful Melbourne Cup quests. He finished sixth the first time – behind Nightmarch, Paquito and Phar Lap – before four second or third placings in the next four runnings of the big race. s BY ANDREW LEMON A STORY FROM THE VAULT Shadow King was a di¡erent kind of champion to the immortals of his