Group One Winner for Ilovethiscity

Mark Smith - Saturday April 7

Punters were on the ropes at Royal Randwick by the time the $1,000,000 Inglis Sires' Produce was run however things looked to be on the up when Zac Purton finally found some clear running on the favourite Oohood, but just as she had done in five previous starts Oohood found one to spoil the party and this time it was the despised outsider of the field.

Defying the pattern on the day, the Ben Smith-trained filly El Dorado Dreaming came from the tail of the field with an uninterrupted run down the middle of the track to nail the favourite in the closing stages and render the crowd into shocked silence.

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El Dorado Dreaming defeated Oohood (I Am Invincible) by a nose with another outsider Outrageous (All Too Hard) a length back third. (photos Steve Hart ).


Ridden by Damian Lane, the 80/1 longshot was beaten in a Newcastle maiden at her most recent start.

Lane said he had a lapful of horse coming into the straight.

"I thought I got beat and was a bit dirty on myself for going too early," Lane said

"What a credit to Ben and his team for bringing her here today in such great order.

"I went back from the wide draw, I think we were second last and as we turned for home I thought gee this is travelling."

Owner/breeder Yvonne Pearce was revelling in the thrill of her first Group 1 winner

"This is a filly I bred myself, I bought the mare Solanas in foal to Stratum," Pearce said.

"I paid $35,000 for her in foal to Stratum. She has a weanling colt by Cluster and she might get upgraded now "

The result of the Stratum mating was the 4yo mare Golly Miss Solly who has won three of her five starts.

"Ben has done such a marvellous job with El Dorado Dreaming," Pearce said.

"He had faith in her. I questioned his decision to put her in this and he said I know the horse and she's got talent she just has to get in there and have a go.'


A daughter of Zabeel, Solanas is a half-sister to the dam of Group II MVRC Crystal Mile winner Sea Battle out of the stakes-winning Dieu d'Or mare Pepite D'Or.

This is a family nurtured over several generations by Wood Nook Farm.

Solanas was not covered last spring.

One of 26 foals from the third crop of Larneuk Stud's Group 1 ATC Randwick Guineas winner Ilovethiscity, El Dorado Dreaming is the first black-type winner for the son of Magic Albert.

Ilovethiscity covered 29 mares last spring at a fee of $6,600.

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