Symons cone crusher

The first New Zealand Thoroughbred racehorse to win over $1 million in prize money is none other than Bonecrusher, who was admired on both the Australian and New Zealand racing tracks. Foaled in 1982, Bonecrusher was sired by Pag-Asa, out of Imitation. His dam sire, Oakville Bridge scraper reclaimer Manufacturers, was a progeny of French champion, Tantieme.

Bred by Bill Punch, the chestnut gelding was sold to Peter Mitchell at the Waikato Yearling Sales for $3,250. Little did trainer Frank Ritchie know that the gelding would soon gather a cult-like following, being compared with immortal champions like Phar Lap as a mere three-year-old. By the end of his third year, Bonecrusher had won the New Zealand Derby apart from numerous classics for three-year-olds.

Bonecrusher's triumphs in New Zealand continued in Australia with emphatic victories in the Tancred Stakes, the Underwood Stakes, the AJC Derby and the Caulfield Stakes. Nicknamed 'Big Red', Bonecrusher became serious competition, with punters ever eager to wager on the fearless chestnut gelding. The prestigious WS Cox Plate saw two of the greatest New Zealand Thoroughbreds pitted against each other. Our Waverly Star was to be Bonecrusher's opponent in the highly anticipated 'race of the century' that would decide who was the best horse on the tracks at Moonee Valley. Jockey Gary Stewart helped the chestnut gelding call on his last reserves of courage and stamina to grab victory from Our Waverly Star in the last two strides. The great contest between Waverly Star and Bonecrusher did much to raise the profile of the race to higher standards equalling the Melbourne Cup.

Good weather and track conditions provided the perfect setting for the race which was run at a good pace. Gary Stewart kept Bonecrusher at the back of the field until the 800 meter mark when both Bonecrusher and Our Waverley Star with Lance O'Sullivan clearing out from the rest of the field. Although Our Waverley Star built up a length's lead, Bonecrusher gained a slender lead on the turn into the short home straight. Our Waverley Star was quick on the draw and seemed to pull away when Gary and Bonecrusher, in a last ditch attempt, fought back down the straight to win by a neck. In race caller Bill Collins' words, "Bonecrusher races into equine immortality". The 1986 WS Cox Plate remains firmly entrenched in every punter's memory, and one of the most replayed versions of any Side cantilever drawing strickle reclaimer Manufacturers