We often have stories cross our desk that are worthy of note, but sadly time is sometimes the enemy. This is one we didn’t want to let slip through the cracks. Let’s go back to Condamine draft at the end of June.

CONNICHIWA (by Hazelwood Conman) has been something pretty special for the Moriarty Family. Sold & paid for as a yearling, the universe decided she should stay exactly where she was…lucky for them! In her younger years she was quirky & tough to handle but she showed heart and some very special moves.

She and James only started drafting together last year, and she was quickly the first horse to earn him a place. You can imagine the excitement in the Moriarty camp when she became the first Moriarty horse to claim a win. James had been close at a few events, even declared the winner on one occasion, before a recount moved him back to 2nd!

In what appears to be true James style, Condamine was no ordinary win! He and Connichiwa qualified for the M4M run off with an 88 and an 85… only to discover he had to run off against himself! 😂

He took out 1st and 2nd in the M4M, and then backed it up with 3rd in the Maiden.

Adding another twist to the story, the mare that finished 2nd, Secretheart Overextreme, pictured here, is the same mare who was relegated to 2nd after the recount…her time will come!