The Gordonian upset his rivals in the feature flat race at Riccarton, which also brought down the curtain on the career of one of the south’s best mares of recent years.

The nine-year-old had finished runner-up on Wednesday and he was able to go one better in the Christchurch Casino Winter Classic at odds of 25-1 with a gallant performance to deny the favourite Doiknowyou.

Prepared by Jo-Ann Gordon, The Gordonian made the running and he was clearly headed by Doiknowyou before rallying strongly under rider Krishna Mudhoo.

Back in fifth spot and certainly not disgraced was the bonny Tommy Beckett-trained mare Miss Three Stars, who is now retired and heading to the North Island for a date with the Cambridge Stud’s leading stallion Tavistock.

“It came as a bit of a shock when Tommy told me - I thought he was messing with me,” regular rider Sam Wynne said.

“I get goose bumps just talking about her and I’m so grateful for everything she has done for me.”

Miss Three Stars won 11 races, including the Gr.3 Winter Cup, two editions of the Listed Riverton Cup and she placed in the Gr.3 Canterbury Gold Cup. Wynne partnered the daughter of Perfectly Ready in all but one of her victories.

“She deserves a good retirement and the owners are doing the right thing by her,” she said.