Trainer Michael Freedman hailed Apocalyptic as a “special filly” after she defied a wide run to blitz her rivals in the Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick.
Ridden by Tommy Berry, the $3 chance was trapped three-wide without cover but still sprinted clear to win Saturday’s 1400m feature by 1-3/4 lengths. Artistic Venture ($41) ran on for second, with well-supported favourite Tupakara ($2.50) holding third.
Freedman admitted he was worried about the wide gate but was thrilled to see her overcome adversity.
“I think she’s pretty special,” he said. “To let down like she did, from a training perspective, you don’t get too many horses that can do that.”
Already a first-up winner of the Furious Stakes, Apocalyptic is now a clear $2.20 favourite for the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) in two weeks.
Berry quipped afterwards: “I would have loved a heart monitor on Michael halfway around.”