Ron Quinton couldn’t separate his two mares in the Golden Pendant before Daysee Doom scored a narrow win over Dixie Blossoms.
The result ensured Quinton dominated the Group Two feature for fillies and mares at Rosehill and only one outcome could have been more satisfying.
“It would have been better if it was a dead-heat,” he said.
“People asked could I split them and I couldn’t really. So I wasn’t far out,” he said.
The five-year-olds had a delayed start to this campaign after they were included in an ongoing Racing NSW stewards investigation sparked when stablemates Imanui and Boss Lane recorded elevated levels of cobalt.
“They had a bit of a hiccup early on in their prep but they’ve passed that now, hopefully onwards and upwards,” Quinton said.
“They’re tough mares and they’re in great form.
“I hate putting them in against each other really. But you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”
Their rivalry is set to continue in the Group Three Angst Stakes (1500m) at Randwick in a fortnight and then a trip to Melbourne beckons for the Group One Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington in November.
Quinton’s apprentice Andrew Adkins was emotional after returning the to scale with Daysee Doom.
“Ability-wise she’s probably on par with other horses, maybe a little less but her heart and strength and fight about her just shows a whole different horse.”
Daysee Doom travelled three wide without cover from barrier 12 but made light of her difficult trip.
“She had to do it the hard way but the tempo was set perfectly for me, she was travelling so well underneath me,” said Adkins, who also paid credit to Dixie Blossoms.
“She’s in great form as well. They’re very gallant, very similar, it’s great for the boss. He’s had a hard time.”
The Chris Waller-trained Omei Sword ($4.20) filled out the minor placing a length further back .
