Shae Hanger and Chosen One

The Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre will host a battle of herculean proportions on Saturday night when two giants of the equestrian world clash for just the third time in their decorated careers.

Star Australian show horses Chosen One and DP Destiny are set to resume hostilities in the inaugural Off the Track National Show Horse Championship, sponsored by Godolphin, this weekend, reigniting a rivalry reminiscent of the racetrack tussles between Sunline and Northerly in the early 2000s.

The first national competition of its kind run exclusively for retired racehorses, Saturday night’s event offers former stars of the turf the chance to strut their stuff in an intense competition sometimes described as the equine equivalent of the Miss Universe Pageant - minus the bikinis.

Over the past 18 months Chosen One, who counted three wins from 39 starts when prepared in Mornington by Tony Noonan, has cemented a reputation as the darling of the show horse world with back-to-back wins in the prestigious Garryowen Equestrienne turnout and heads into this weekend’s competition boasting a picket fence form line.

Ready to wrangle back to the mantle of Australia’s preeminent show horse however is DP Destiny.

A 14-year-old daughter of Desert King, DP Destiny – who registered just the one victory from 20 starts for trainer Colin Alderson as Tembella – returns to the ring following a 12 month injury enforced lay off and is chasing a fairy-tale conclusion to an incredible show career.

The pair have faced off twice on the big stage with DP Destiny relegating Chosen One to second in both the 2014 Off the Track State Championship and the Off the Track State of Origin Championship.

However Chosen One’s rider, Shae Hanger, is confident her handsome son of Choisir can turn the tables on Saturday night.

“He’s going along really well this time in. Everything – touch wood – is working perfectly,” Hanger said.

Hanger said that Chosen One had enjoyed a smoother preparation leading into this weekend’s event than he did before September’s Garryowen - a scary proposition for his 14 rivals.

“This is definitely a big event for me – especially considering it is run exclusively for Off the Track horses - I definitely put in a lot of effort for this event,” she said.

“I want to win it more than anything.

“He’s been working really well at home with his piece of music and honestly, I couldn’t be happier with him.”

And while Hanger admitted that she would no doubt face stiff opposition from a horse of the ilk of DP Destiny, she said she has equal respect for the entire field.

“I think all will be hard to beat,” she said.

“It’s going to be one of those competitions that whoever has the best luck will win.

“She (DP Destiny) is a good mare, and she did win the Off the Track (State Championships) over my horse two years ago.

“But I honestly thing that whoever’s horse goes out there and accepts the atmosphere (at night) the best will win.  

“My horse has a beautiful temperament and has had a fantastic preparation and hopefully that’s enough to get him over the line this weekend.”

The full line-up for Saturday night’s event is available here

This article first appeared on the Racing Victoria website and is reprinted here with their kind permission. For more on the Off the Track program please visit  http://rv.racing.com/the-horse/off-the-track