El Dorado Dreaming was once a $201 shot to win this afternoon’s Group 1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m), but she has mustered a monumental turn of foot to beat clear favourite Oohood in a photo at Randwick this afternoon.
Eventually jumping at odds of $81/1, jockey Damien Lane took El Dorado Dreaming back from barrier 12 and allowed the likes of Ringerdingding, Bondi and Encryption to set a reasonable pace from the outset.
The horse had plenty of work to do when the field rounded the bend and she was well off the pace, but she immediately responded when Lane asked for an extra effort and producing a truly explosive turn of foot to fly home on the outside of the field, going against the tone of the day to secure the historic result.
Lane was thrilled with the filly’s performance and was quick to lay all the praise on her ability and trainer Ben Smith, immediately after the race.
“I thought I was beaten and was really devasted with myself because I thought I went too early,” Lane said.
“What a credit to Ben and his team from bringing her here today in such great order and obviously she’s got a bucket load of talent.
“I went back from the wide draw, I think I was about second last but as we turned for home I thought gee this horse is travelling.
“I thought I might have waited a bit too long earlier on Manicure, so I just went for home and I thought I’d done the opposite and got done late, but what a thrill.”
Smith was on hand for El Dorado Dreaming’s incredible win in the Inglis Sires’ and was understandably thrilled with her performance.
“It’s a bit of a surprise, but we thought she’d come here and run well, we weren’t here just to make up the numbers,” Smith said.
“We didn’t expect her to win, but we expected she’d run well. We didn’t think she’d be a two-year-old, but she just trialled so well, so we just had a go.”
The Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) is the final feature race for two-year-olds in the Sydney Autumn Carnival and Smith will consider progressing to the race after seeing how El Dorado Dreaming pulls up.
“I think we’ll get through today first, but I’m sure on how she ran today she’d be right up to it,” he said.
El Dorado Dreaming broke her maiden in this afternoon’s Inglis Sires’ and has extended her record to one win and two minors from only four starts.