Wild scenes greeted Gotta Take Care and his rider Harry Coffey as they returned to scale after winning the William Newton VC Handicap, honouring the name of a great Australian.

While Gotta Take Care is no candidate for a V C, however, he is entitled to a longevity award, rising 10 years of age and still going strong.

His record is quite remarkable, he doesn’t mind what they serve up to him, he just is as adaptable over the jumps as he is on the flat.

He just never gives up, yesterday was his 66^th start for 17 wins and 18 placings, besides 14 hurdle starts for six wins and six placings, for total stake earnings of $1,173,877.

Gotta Take Care gets up in the last stride

He has proved a great money spinner for his owners Ian, Philip and Graeme Wood; they each wear ties from the same material as their racing colours.

The veteran performer was a long way behind on the home turn yesterday and like the boy with the barrow he had the job in front of him, and so did the inform apprentice, Harry Coffee.

When the horses were making their winning run by the clock tower Gotta Take Care was nowhere to be seen, it was only in the dying shadows of the post he poked his head in front that was sufficient to claim victory.

The winning Team