Class filly Eloping turned the UAM Pty/Ltd VOBIS Gold Rush into a procession at Bendigo on Saturday.
Starting a $2.70 second-favourite, she exploded to a six length victory while clocking a quick 56.70s for 1000 metres. The Choisir filly had won on debut at Bendigo in December and followed up with a Listed victory in the Blue Diamond Preview at Caulfield over the Australia Day long weekend.
Eloping (2f Choisir – Runaway Jesse by Rory’s Jester) streeted the minor placegetters Jarklin (King Of Prussia) and Lady Trickster (All American). Lindsay Park colt Wilderness, a half-brother to Starspangledbanner who cost $2.40 million as a yearling, started favourite but faded in the straight to finish a well-beaten fourth.
The VOBIS Gold Rush was worth $150,000 in prizemoney, plus an extra $23,000 in Super VOBIS bonuses for the winner’s syndicate of 10 women. She was bred by Michael Christian at Saconi Thoroughbreds in Whittlesea and sold for $120,000 at the 2013 Gold Coast Magic Millions.
Trainer Peter Morgan and Craig Widdison always had the Gold Rush in mind for Eloping. “We targeted this one because she had done so well since the Blue Diamond,” Widdison said. “And what about the money? It’s just incredible.”
Runaway Jesse has a Starspangledbanner yearling filly that made $170,000 at the Gold Coast Magic Millions in January. The mare was covered by Sepoy last year.
The next VOBIS Gold event is the $180,000 VOBIS Gold Ingot at Flemington on April 5.