The victory by Eminent Domain at Randwick on Saturday held special significance for trainer Danny Williams.
Two years ago Eminent Domain was struck down by illness and spent six weeks at a veterinary clinic.
Eminent Domain - Photo by Steve Hart
Williams was told to prepare for the worst.
“They were going to give the horse 24 hours and if he didn’t show improvement they were going to put him down,” Williams said.
“I actually took a bag of our own wheat and hay to the horse. I drove from Goulburn to Camden with it and the horse ate it.
“He has come a long way.”
Eminent Domain lost half his stomach due to the illness and has also had his career interrupted by a fractured splint bone, not to mention the various niggles so often afflicting racehorses.
But none of that was evident at Randwick as he swept down the outside to claim the TAB.com.au Sprint (1200m).
Williams said it was a big thrill to win a race on Doncaster day and was happy the four-year-old had finally lived up to his expectations.
“I’ve put my reputation on the line a few times with this horse and he’s let me down but he’s had a lot of bad luck,” Williams said.
Eminent Domain ($14) had a length to spare over Upshot ($9) with Potions ($17) another long head back third.
