Few of Chris Waller’s horses sneak under the guard of punters, but filly Eccedere did precisely that when she took out a midweek maiden on Randwick’s Kensington track at double-figure odds.
The three-year-old had been beaten by a combined total of more than 20 lengths in her trio of starts and Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said they came to the meeting hopeful rather than confident.
“She has always had enough speed, it was just whether she was good enough to bring provincial form into town,” Duckworth said.
“We probably didn’t think it was going to happen today, but there was a lot of wind on the track and it’s a frontrunner’s track.”
Eccedere was assisted, not only by the elements, but a beautiful ride from Zac Lloyd.
Lloyd positioned her on the fence behind the leader and was presented with a dream run when the wayward Sunshine Law pushed the winner’s stablemate Pink Shalala wide on the home turn.
Eccedere ($31) proved good enough to capitalise, spearing to the front and defeating Pink Shalala ($5) by 1-1/4 lengths with Hurry Miss ($4.20) third.
“She did need to improve and she was those odds for a reason,” Duckworth said.
“But she was aided by a beautiful ride and some inconvenience (to Pink Shalala).”
Pink Shalala has now filled the minor placings in four of his five starts and while disappointed with Wednesday’s result, Duckworth said his time would come.
“It was a real shame not to break through for his win today but he will live to fight another day and I’m sure he won’t be a maiden for too long,” he said.
