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Eduardo Downs Nature Strip in a Thriller

Mark Smith - Saturday March 6

From a four-year-old gelding making his track debut at Moe to a triple Group II winning seven-year-old starring down the reigning Horse Of The Year in course record time in the Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick, that is the evolution of blue-collar hero Eduardo.

Eduardo turns back the challenge of Nature Strip (image Steve Hart)

While his pedigree may not excite the purists, Eduardo has built a formidable record.

Making his first start since finishing fourth to Gytrash in the $1million Yes Yes Yes stakes at Rosehill last October, the Joe Pride-trained gelding looked set for an honourable second when tackled by the odds-on favourite Nature Strip in the Challenge Stakes.

Nash Rawiller knows Eduardo better than most. When he got to work on the son of Host (CHI) it became a head-bobbing battle over the final 100 metres.

Eduardo nosed out Nature Strip (Nicconi) with three and three-quarter lengths back to Bella Vista (Commands) in third.

“When he got headed, I said he’ll fight,” Pride said.

“You could see he was in for the battle. It was an amazing performance.

“They have carved up the track record. That is the second time I’ve done that. De Lightning Ridge broke the track record in the Challenge.

“He’s not a hard going horse. Everybody gave him this reputation of a mad bolting horse, he’s not. He’s a relaxed customer.

“Full credit to Michelle who rides him in track work. And all the team getting this horse to switch off.

“He is a 7yo racing more like a 5yo. He’s 100% sound horse. He’s going to be hard to beat in that Galaxy. I just needed him to see him run well today. I hope the handicappers are kind to him.”

Raced in partnership by his breeder Jane Kaufmann, Eduardo advances his record to six wins, three seconds and three thirds fro 18 starts with earnings of $1,353,900.

He is the third winner from as many foals out of the unraced Fantastic Light (IRE) mare Blushing who has not been returned to the Stud Book since Eduardo was foaled in 2013.

Blushing is a granddaughter of the Group III QTC Lightning Handicap winner Peggy Ann.

Eduardo is one of six stakes-winners for Hussonet's Chilean-bred son Host (ARG) who died last year.

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Race Result - Hyland Colours Challenge Stks Gr2 1000m

Randwick Track: Good(4) Time: 0:55.20
1
Eduardo
- 7g Host (CHI) x Blushing (AUS) (Fantastic Light (USA))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: N Rawiller 58.5
2
0.1
Nature Strip
- 6g Nicconi (AUS) x Strikeline (AUS) (Desert Sun (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 58.5
Nicconi
3
3.9
Bella Vella
- 6m Commands (AUS) x Forget The Weather (USA) (Stormy Atlantic (USA))
Tnr: Will Clarken Rdr: J R Collett 56.5
4
5.6
Splintex
- 4h Snitzel (AUS) x Acquired (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: J Parr 58.5
5
5.8
Spaceboy
- 4g Deep Field (AUS) x Miatoko (AUS) (Danzero (AUS))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: Ms K O'Hara 58.5
6
6.2
Written Beauty
- 3f Written Tycoon (AUS) x Beauty World (AUS) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Tommy Berry 54
7
11.2
The Odyssey
- 4h Better Than Ready (AUS) x Jessica's Hope (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: K M Schweida Rdr: Ms S Thornton 58.5
8
12.4
Jungle Edge
- 10g Dubawi (IRE) x Jungle Girl (NZ) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: M A Bell Rdr: Ms J Da Rose 58.5
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