Joe Pride’s star sprinter Eduardo proved why he was at such short odds, the punters’ pick leading from barrier to box to score another Group 1 win this time in the 2021 Doomben 10,000 up in Brisbane ahead of a well-earned spell.
Eduardo (pictured in Sydney) saluted for the punters with a tough 2021 Doomben 10,000 win in Brisbane. Photo: Steve Hart.
After winning the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill second-up by 3.5 lengths as the top weight, Host seven-year-old Eduardo was last seen running third behind Nature Strip in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick during ‘The Championships’.
He was heavily-backed to improve off that against an easier line-up of rivals when heading up to Brisbane for the winter’s opening elite level, the $1 million Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m).
The shortest-priced of Pride’s Group 1 starters, Eduardo jumped at $1.70 and jockey Nash Rawiller used up some early petrol crossing to lead.
The favourite gave a lovely kick at the top of the straight and was off, but was going flat out the closing stages as the late runners challenged.
Like the champion he is, Eduardo was able to dig deep and find another level holding off the fast-finishing roughies Wild Planet ($31) and The Harrovian ($21) to salute.
It was Pride’s second Doomben 10,000 success after he broke his Group 1 maiden as a trainer in the event back in 2005 with Red Oog.
“A great relief, there’s been so much pressure this week,” Pride told Sky Thoroughbred Central after the race.
“A great horse.
“He got the job done here today as a bit of an afterthought coming up here to Brisbane, and it’s a testament to the quality and type of horse that he is.
“He’s a real fighter.
“It’s not often you see horses that have that much speed that also have that much fight.
“He’s a bulldog and he kept fighting.
“Congratulations to his connections, they will all be absolutely thrilled.”
Pride confirmed he would send Eduardo out to the paddock up in Queensland now before heading back home for the spring.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do next time around,” Pride said.
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