Patch Adams causes 100-1 ‘Bool upset

Patch Adams (Image: Racing Photos)

The locals have struck their first blow at the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival, with the Aaron Purcell-trained 100-1 outsider Patch Adams claiming the $60,000 Magic Millions National Sale Handicap (1700m) on Tuesday.

At his 79th career start and his second carnival appearance, the eight-year-old landed a knockout punch in the second leg of the quaddie, resuming first-up from an 11-week spell.

The victory was Purcell’s 14th in his career across his hometown carnival, while it was a first for 21-year-old apprentice Will Price, who had previously ridden the horse to success in the Mount Gambier Cup.

“I thought Guizot was the better chance,” admitted Purcell of his two stablemates in the race, who travelled together in the run.

“Patch Adams’ work had been really good and he’d come back a happy and sound horse, so I was pretty confident he was going to have a good preparation but I probably wasn’t expecting him to win today.

“I was watching the both of them and probably 300 metres from home and I thought he was going better than the other horse and was going to be in the finish.

“But it probably wasn’t until about the 100 metres where I started getting a bit excited and thought the race was his.”

WATCH: Patch Adams’ win

Carrying the silks of prominent Western Districts owner Kingsley Peach, Patch Adams was a $70,000 yearling purchase and Tuesday’s win took his earnings past $800,000.

“I got him at Easter last year (from Terry and Karina O’Sullivan), so a bit over a year, so I think that’s his third win for us and it’s been a pleasure to have him in the stable,” Purcell said.

“He is surprisingly sound for an old horse, he’s had a fair bit of racing but he loves racing and loves his work and he is obviously happy in the stable life, so while he’s going well his career is going to keep going.”

Purcell believed the slow tempo played against more-fancied stablemate Guizot.

The stable has 11 runners across the final two days as it seeks to add to the tally.