Anthony Freedman trained the quinella Sunday's Group I Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield but admitted he only saw the winner late.
Just as Mr Sneaky was being hailed the winner halfway up the straight Dean Yendall produced Santa Ana Lane ($18 - $26) up the centre of the track and finished best of all to defeat Mr Sneaky ($6.50 - $8) by three-quarters of a length with So Si Bon ($14 - $26) a further 1 1/4-lengths off third.
Freedman said he was watching Mr Sneaky strike the front and had not notice Santa Ana Lane until the final stages.
"I thought Mr Sneaky was home and wasn't really watching the other horse to be honest," Freedman said.
"It's great for the stable to get the quinella in a Group One race and a credit to the whole team"
Santa Ana Lane came from a long way back to finish fifth behind Vega Magic in the Group I Goodwood in May and Freedman said the fast early pace in this race suited the son of Lope de Vega.
"It's taken a while to work him out, I was a bit dubious about him at 1400m but in a fast run race like today it suited him," Freedman said.
"His form the last six months has been really solid and the things just went his way today. The other horse ran terrific too so it's a good result."
Sanyta Ana Lan ran the trip in a slick 1:22.28 on the good(3) track.
BANG. SANTA ANA LANE storms home to land the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. A quinella for @FreedmanRacing! #RacingLivepic.twitter.com/RXIZrzFrnN
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 1, 2017
