Maiden two year old El Dorado Dreaming proved to be a nightmare for the punters when she scored an upset win in the Group 1 $1m ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on day one of The Championships at Randwick today.

El Dorado Dreaming, above, was a shock winner in the ATC Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

El Dorado Dreaming, above, was a shock winner in the ATC Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Damian Lane was able to bring the $81 outsider El Dorado Dreaming from last on the home turn to pip the $3.20 favourite Oohood on the post to provide trainer Ben Smith with his second Group 1 success.

Another roughie, $61 chance Outrageous, also ran the race of his life to fill third spot.

Smith is two races away from saddling up top T J Smith Stakes fancy In Her Time, the mare that gave the Newcastle trainer his first Group 1 trophy with her win in the Group 1 $700,000 The PFD Food Services Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill two weeks ago.

Before today’s win El Dorado Dreaming had been placed twice from three starts and was coming off a last start second in a Newcastle maiden and Smith said it was a real surprise to see her storm down the outside to gain the prize.

“We just wanted her ridden quiet and he gave her a peach of a ride and the way she was coming around the turn I thought she would run well but I didn’t expect her to win but expected her to run well,” Smith said.

“A seven day back up, she is still a bit big. She was still a bit big going to Newcastle.”

“The way she does her trackwork is nice and relaxed and goes through her gears and for her to be ridden quiet and hit the line was really good to see.”

Runner up Oohood is yet to win a race from six starts but has been Group 1 placed on three occasions and before today the Tony McEvoy trained filly finished third in the Group 1 $1.5m Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield and was runner up in the Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.