Mark Purdon is the master of the understatement - but even he was reaching for superlatives after Adore Me's New Zealand Trotting Cup win headlined an unbelievable day at Addington yesterday.
The wonder mare became the first mare to claim New Zealand's biggest race since Mainland Banner in 2005, but that was only half the story for Purdon, co-trainer Natalie Rasmussen and their All Stars Stables team at Rolleston.
The stable produced no fewer than seven winners on the day, prompting Purdon to place November 11, 2014, at the top of the pile since he first drove in a race in the 1981-82 season.
''This has been the greatest day for me,'' Purdon said.
From a man who has dominated age-grade races, made the Harness Jewels his own, and trained and driven open-class stars, that is some statement.
Purdon was not short of emotion either, shortly after Adore Me returned to the winner's circle having smashed Changeover's New Zealand record of 3.56.4 by 1.8sec - giving Purdon his first win in the great race since 1996.
''It's been a long time since I've won a cup so it's a dream really to win it again,'' he said.
"It brought tears to my eyes when I heard [commentator] Mark McNamara say it's Adore Me's cup.''
Adore Me had to do it the hard way, surging four-wide with 600m to go on a torrid last lap, and hitting the lead before holding on from Franco Nelson's sprint on the inside.
The first 10 pacers home were inside Changeover's 2008 time, which makes Adore Me's effort all the more remarkable.
''I suppose if you had asked me before the race, I would have never picked a time like that. But it's probably a reflection of how good she is.''
And how good is she? Well, her record now sits at 21 wins from 27 starts, and yesterday's win took her to $1.3 million in lifetime earnings.
She's the horse of a lifetime for part-owner Paul Kenny too, who races the 5yr-old with wife Mary and her father, Charlie Roberts, a stalwart of the breeding industry.
"For the 30-plus years we've been married, I've had shares in various horses, but nothing like her,'' Kenny said.
''Mainly we've been involved in thoroughbreds, but Adore Me has changed life a little bit.
''To do what she's done - we are extremely fortunate and very thankful.''
Adore Me made up the backbone of a magnificent seven wins for the All Stars contingent, a feat which surely will never be matched on New Zealand Cup day.
Have Faith In Me led home a trifecta for Mark Purdon and co-trainer Natalie Rasmussen, Hug The Wind and Alta Orlando filling the placings.
Add in wins to Backup (race 2), Rare Opportunity (race 3), Messini (race 5), Vice Consul (race 8) and Prince Fearless (race 11), and a stunning day was complete.
It could have been eight wins, with Itz Bettor To Win getting within a short neck of No Doctor Needed in the final race.
Purdon was happy to deflect the reasons for his success on to his staff.
''It's dedication and the right people - all the hours and having a great team of people around us.
''There's my training partner, Natalie, and underneath us, we've got a great team of people.''
