Winner: Eclair Surprise (Blackfriars-French Scene)
Race: VRC Super Impose Stakes LR (1800m)
Sold for: $65,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Durham Lodge
Buyer: Lindsey Smith
Earnings: $98,175
Owner(s): TCK Li
Trainer: Peter Moody (Caulfield)
Eclair Surprise burst into contention for the Victoria Derby with a brilliant win in today’s listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington.
The Peter Moody prepared galloper made it two wins from three starts when he produced an outstanding turn of foot to come from last and win brilliantly.
Eclair Surprise was purchased for connections by leading Perth trainer Lindsey Smith at the 2009 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale for $65,000.
As it stands he’s already won connections almost $100,000 – and if his campaign continues in similar fashion that figure will continue to rise considerably.
“He’s a nice, improving horse,” Moody said. “Getting back on a dry track was a key for him.”
“On the Geelong track he won well first up and then he couldn’t get going at Sandown – his wheels were just spinning.”
“Back on firmer ground and out to his right trip it was a good win,” he added.
“He’s still learning,” Moody said. “We put the blinkers on hoping he might be able to take up a position midfield – but he walked out of the gates – it adds plenty of merit to the win.”
“He’s always shown us nice ability at home and he always gave the feel that further the better. He’s by a Derby winner in Blackfriars so that always indicated he was going to like a longer trip.”
“He’ll probably go to the 2000 at Caulfield and then two weeks back here to the Derby all being well.”
Eclair Surprise finished so quick that he raced home to beat Almindoro by a long neck. Makybe Diva’s three quarter brother Shadowofexcellence was another neck back in third place.
“He’s a bit backward in the mind,” winning rider Luke Nolen said of Eclair Surprise. “He’s not quite there yet.”
“The way he won there – it was pretty emphatic I thought. He nearly got tipped over.”
“He finished off well and he ticks a lot of boxes if he gets to the Derby,” Nolen summed up.
Eclair Surprise is by former Victoria Derby winner Blackfriars and is from the city winning Scenic mare French Scene.
A winner at 1200 and 1400 metres, French Scene is from the Group Two Winterbottom Stakes winning Ksar mare French Sound.
It’s also the family of stakes winners Jovial Knight, King’s Knight, Merry Knight, French Knight and the mighty sprinting mare Miss Andretti.
