The start was perfect but the result could have been better for Billy Dale who pressed the button to let the field go for the last time at Rosehill on Saturday.

The long-time Sydney starter, Dale is heading to retirement after a career which includes starting 38 Golden Slippers beginning with Luskin Star in 1977.

Dale's son Brent is a part-owner of Frozen Rope, topweight in the Alpha Flight Services Handicap (1500m), but the horse could only manage to finish ninth of the 11 runners.

"Wouldn't it have been nice if my son's horse could have won," Dale said.

"It would have been such a great way to go out but it wasn't to be."

Although it was his last time climbing the ladder to exact a start, Dale has not quite finished with racing.

"I don't officially finish until August 1 so I will be going to Randwick next Saturday," Dale said.

"I will just be helping out the other guys and doing what I can but I won't be starting a race."

The Australian Turf Club has not yet appointed a successor to Dale who had a trouble-free eight races.

Frozen Rope's race was won by the Tony McEvoy-trained Evangelist, a former English horse making his Australian debut.

Evangelist was ridden by McEvoy's nephew Kerrin McEvoy who rode the horse's mother Hi Calypso in England for Sir Michael Stoute.

"I don't think I ever won on her but I rode a lot for Phillip Newton who owned her and owns this horse," McEvoy said.