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.

Advertisment

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
More Reading...
Eduardo Closes in on $5million
Yet another big payday for the blue-collar champion Eduardo in Saturday's $1,000,000 Classique Legend Stakes at Rosehill.
Eduardo Fights off Nature Strip in The Shorts
 It was billed as a mini Everest, with six of the starters already gaining a slot in the $15million feature, and it was giant slayer Eduardo who got the better of the favourite Nature Strip in Saturday’s $500,000 Group II Bowermans Furniture The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
The Ageless Eduardo in a Class of His Own in Concorde
A set against Eduardo in the betting ring rewarded his legion of his fans, who did not have a moment's worry in Saturday's Group III Southern Cross Group Concorde Stakes at Randwick.
Eduardo Toughs it out in Doomben 10000
Although he was running on empty at the end, the admirable Eduardo ran the chasing pack off their legs in Saturday’s $1million Group 1 Doomben Ten Thousand (1200m).
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.