The juvenile event over 1200m at Eagle Farm on Saturday was supposed to be a walk in the park for white hot favourite Space Rider, who missed a start in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic last night as first emergency, but as can happen in racing - expect the unexpected.
Space Rider was clearly not the colt that won impressively on debut over the same course on December 28, producing a meek effort to finish fourth while the progeny of first season sires filled the trifecta with Doubtland filly Dushenka leading the way.
Trained by Start Kendrick and riden by Kyle Wilson-Taylor, Dushenka produced a dazzling finish to charge clear and win by two and a half lengths over Prince Fawaz filly Idyllic Affair with Farnan gelding North Pole in third place
The connections of Dushenka were not surprised she ran well, but had not expected to win given the presence of Space Rider.
A $90,000 Magic Millions Adelaide purchase for Champagne Bloodstock from Ducatoon Park, Dushenka is a half-sister to stakes-placed Empress of Wonder and Wonderful Riri being the fifth winner from five to race from good producing Churchill Downs mare Tsarina Wonder, a grand-daughter of Group I winner Irish Heiress.
Dushenka is the second winner for Widden Stud’s Group II winning Not a Single Doubt stallion Doubtland, who stands in Victoria and has a dozen entries for Inglis Premier.
