Kelso Wood experienced the full range of emotions after Real Surreal’s dramatic Eagle Farm win on Saturday.
Real Surreal ($26) hung out badly on the home turn but recovered to win by a short neck from Choisenegger ($9) with the favourite Craiglea Cruz ($1.80) a long neck away third.
“I can’t tell you what names I was calling her when she ran off the track,” Wood said.
“That’s the trouble with young horses. You don’t know what they’re going to do when they’re having their first start in a race.”
The Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 12 will be the goal for Real Surreal, a half-sister to Benny’s Buttons who won the Vo Rogue Plate for Wood two years ago.
The filly is from the first crop of Real Saga, who was runner-up in the Blue Diamond Stakes and fourth in the Golden Slipper before embarking on a stud career at Glenlogan Park at Beaudesert.
Wood believes he is overdue for a change of luck in the Millions after Sizzling finished an unlucky fourth this year and Prince Regent was controversially relegated to second place after being first past the post in 1988.
Apprentice Rosie Myers said Real Surreal was racing without cover approaching the home turn which contributed to the filly’s erratic behaviour.
“She’s never done that in her trackwork or anything but it’s a lot different out there on raceday,” Myers said.
“It was pure ability that got her to the line first.”
