[2] Foaled in New Zealand, and trained by Geoff Murphy, Gurner's Lane was sired by Sir Tristram.
His dam was Taiona,[3] who also produced the Group One winners Sovereign Red and Trichelle (both full siblings), and was named New Zealand Broodmare of the Year in 1981 and 1983.
Ridden in the Caulfield Cup by Brent Thomson, at 53.5 kilograms, Gurner's Lane defeated Gala Mascot and Veloso.
Turning for home Kingston Town sprinted clear for his jockey, Malcolm Johnston, and appeared likely to win until Mick Dittman brought Gurner's Lane through on the rails to bring "sadness to a million lovers of racing".
[7] In the early part of 1983, Gurner's Lane broke down but had done enough to be named Australia's champion racehorse.