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FOXSPORTS.com.au
Grandad to sings to champ
By Christian Nicolussi
September 20, 2007 HE'S the 59-year-old grandfather in charge of Australia's hottest racehorse, Miss Finland. And each day, during trackwork, Terry Donoghue sings his champion the Collingwood theme song.
It's all part of the build-up to Miss Finland's grand final on Cox Plate day, October 27. That's when the princess of the turf will take on the might of El Segundo, Marasco and Haradasun in the weight-for-age championship of Australasia.
As the TAB listed Miss Finland as an even-money favourite for Saturday's Group One Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield, veteran trackwork rider Donoghue revealed some fascinating details about the mighty mare who is tipped to sweep everything before her this spring.
While Craig Williams rides Miss Finland on racedays, it's Donoghue who rises at 3.20am each day when she's in Melbourne to put her through her paces.
The veteran horseman described Miss Finland as "a true show pony" and "one of the best thoroughbreds I've ever ridden".
"She's an absolute freak who can do anything," Donoghue said.
Miss Finland, a four-year-old mare out of super sire Redoute's Choice, has already more than $4 million in prizemoney and has shown incredible versatility in winning races from 1000m to 2500m.
According to Donoghue, a one-time bush jockey who as a starry-eyed eight-year-old once rode champion Tulloch around his stable, Miss Finland is now destined for Cox Plate glory.
"She has come back bigger and better this season," he said.
And he should know, having ridden Miss Finland in all her work since she won on debut at Ballarat.
"I was working for Lloyd Williams when I saw her win at Ballarat, and seven days later I started work with David (Hayes) and I was riding Miss Finland.
"She'll win on Saturday. I can tell you she'll go faster with her dress up than Marasco will with his pants down. I'm not a fan of Marasco. He's only a newspaper champion in my book.
"Miss Finland could win anything David trained her for. She could win the Warrnambool to Melbourne bike race if David wanted to teach her how to ride."
Asked if he could tell when Miss Finland was about to win by the way she worked, Donoghue said: "I do, but that's a secret.
"I know when she's at her peak, and at this stage I'd say she's about 90 per cent right. I still think there is room for improvement.
"Her coat looks much better than it did before she resumed with a win in the Memsie Stakes and I couldn't fault her work this morning."
Donoghue said the Collingwood song was whispered in her ear before they set out for two laps on the sand track before sunrise.
"If the 'Pies happen to win against Geelong on Friday night and David wants me to work her Saturday morning, I might tie a Collingwood scarf around her neck," Donoghue said. "David would hate it. He's the Adelaide Crows' No.1 ticket holder."
Miss Finland will clash with Cox Plate rival and West Australian star Marasco on Saturday with the talented pair drawing barriers seven and six respectively.
In the other Group One feature, the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m), topweight Undue drew gate 15 while Sydney star Murtajill, who is being groomed for the Caulfield Guineas, drew a luckless 21.
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