Trainer Mel Eggleston’s new association with Cressfield Stud is off to a strong start with Oneness scoring a fighting win at the Gold Coast.
Oneness ($26) led most of the way to beat Hacksaw Ridge ($41) by a short head with a half head to TrommelschLagen ($11) in a 1200m-two-year-old race on Wednesday.
Eggleston said he was surprised Oneness had started at such big odds as he was unlucky at his first run in an open maiden two weeks ago.
“Anyone who saw the stewards footage would agree he was unlucky. He got pole-axed at the start and then he was spooked and began running up backsides,” Eggleston said.
Oneness is one of four horses Eggleston recently received from leading Australian breeder Bruce Neill’s Cressfield Stud.
“They are young horses and all show a bit. Obviously the big NSW stables get first crack at them but I am more than happy to have an association with Cressfield,” Eggelston said.
“They are all well-bred and should win their share of races up here.”
Cressfield owns Kingsford Smith Cup winner Clearly Innocent and has a chance at another Group One win with Egyptian Symbol in the Tatts Tiara as Doomben on Saturday.
The Gold Coast meeting also produced a first for trainer Toby Edmonds who welcomed his first winner in the China Horse Club colours when Fabvier ($1.30) won the Class One Plate (1400m).
“She actually came to us via Segenhoe Stud who have an interest in her,” Edmonds said.
“But we have another one there for the China Horse Club so hopefully we can get more wins for them.
“Fabvier wasn’t up to Sydney and she is up here to get some metropolitan wins under her belt. She will eventually go to stud and we will chase a few more metro races.”
