Richoman just keeps on running!

Who or what is a RICHOMAN? Well, he's a 5YO bay gelding by the sire Golden Snake USA out of the mare Rhythm in the Skye, and the winner of today's Stafford Direct Menswear SV Country Showcase (0 - 72 Handicap 1520m) run on new years day 2012 at Mornington. He is also a half brother to the (now retired) G3 winner and also Jason Warren trained RYHTHM IN PARIS.
If you don't already know, 'RICHOMAN' is a bit of a legend in AFL football circles and in old Melbourne town - as Matthew Richardson (the man), or 'RICHOMAN' or simply 'RICHO', as he's know to his adoring fans was a truly special talent.
Here was a man who stood 197cm and weighed in at over 100kg, but he could cover the ground like a gazelle, 'roost' the sherrin 65m, and soar like a bird to haul in some of the most spectacular marks the AFL has ever seen. In 282 games he kicked the second most goals (800) in the history of the Richmond Football Club and the 11th most goals in the history of the VFL/AFL competition. He was a bright spot in a trying period in the history of a proud football club. There were days at the MCG where I was one of many long suffering Richmond fans who sat there and thought 'At least we've got Richo. We got smashed today, but I got to watch Richo'.
But perhaps what 'Richo' was best remembered for was his 'motor'. The man could simply run and run and run all day. He just never stopped and he never gave in. He competed fiercely and did it with his heart on his sleeve.
The owners of RICHOMAN the horse - John Stewart and Rob Roulston are both Richmond Football Club supporters - and the horse RICHOMAN is of course named after Matthew Richardson. It was John's 13 year old son Ben than actually named the horse. It has turned out to be a most fitting title as RICHOMAN's (the horse) greatest strength is also that he just keeps on running, and he is a fierce competitor.
RICHOMAN (the horse) was third up today, still getting to his peak fitness, at the unsuitably short distance of 1500m, and on a surface firmer than he really likes. In addition to that he is not a great fan of the heat, and it was touching 33C.
However, RICHOMAN is a true competitor, and what he may lack in a turn of foot and 'gears' he makes up for with that heart and stamina - and plenty of it. Normally when you see a horse under hard riding 650m from home you think 'it's gone'. Not RICHOMAN, that's the way he likes it, and Andrew Mallyon rode him to instructions perfectly. RICHOMAN had traveled in 2nd position 2 lengths from the pace setter MR MOLAKAI, and when that horse had tried to take a breather and relax 650m from home - RICHOMAN was having none it. Andrew began to get busy and RICHOMAN closed the gap to a length. In the straight MR MOLAKAI kicked again and if anything extended his margin, and to most casual observers RICHOMAN looked 'done'. No. RICHOMAN just keeps running, and instead of fading he ran over the top of MR MOLAKAI at the 100m and knuckled down for a fight with the fast finishing and hot favourite SIDECAR. While the Peter Moody trained and city winning SIDECAR did get close, RICHOMAN would not lay down, put his head out on the line, and claimed an exciting victory.
After the race Andrew Mallyon commented 'After the post he just wanted to keep running!'.
RICHOMAN took his career record to 18:4-2-4 with earnings of over $82,000.
RICHOMAN will now look to step up in distance and with his rating sure to go up will likely to head to town next start. If all goes to plan with RICHOMAN over the next 6 weeks, we may even look to give RICHOMAN his chance in a nice staying race over a mile and a half. He's never been out that far, but these 'Richomen' - they just keep running.
Congratulations to John Stewart on an exciting win.
(Story thanks to Simon Lavery)