Shock ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner El Dorado Dreaming can prove that win wasn’t a fluke with a repeat performance in the Group 1 $500,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
El Dorado Dreaming, above, is included among the chances in the 2018 Champagne Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
El Dorado Dreaming, at $81, came from near last on the home turn to nose out the favourite Oohood in the Group 1 $1m ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on day one of The Championships at Randwick a fortnight ago to cause the biggest upset of the 2018 Sydney Autumn Carnival.
El Dorado Dreaming gave trainer Ben Smith his first Group 1 trophy and another first class performance could see the filly head to Melbourne in the Spring for the Group 1 $1m Kennedy Oaks (2500m) at Flemington.
“Some people thought it was a bit of a fluke in the Sires but if we can get the job done again and run well it will help me with what we do in the spring,’’ Smith told the Racing New South Wales News Desk.
“The way she has trained on we expect her to run really well. We’re not going to be disappointed if she’s beaten but I think she will run the mile out strongly.’’
Smith is happy with the way that El Dorado Dreaming came through her ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes win and said her work and her blood have been spot on since.
“It was more conditioning work than anything. I was really happy with her work,’’ Smith said.
“We pulled her blood before she worked and it came back quite good so everything profiles well for Saturday.’’
Jason Collett takes over from Damian Lane on El Dorado Dreaming who has drawn barrier seven in the thirteen horse Champagne Stakes field.
El Dorado Dreaming won’t be sent out as one of the outsiders of the field this week in the Champagne Stakes and is included as one of the main chances at $8.50 in an open betting race with Ladbrokes.com.au.
There has been plenty of support for the Team Hawkes trained Outrageous who has firmed into to be the $4.80 favourite on race eve ahead of Not A Single Cent at $6, Seabrook at $7 and Long Leaf at $7.50.
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