Just as racegoers believed Sheza Alibi’s Makybe Diva Stakes victory had put things right after Oliveanotherday’s setback in the Bobbie Lewis Quality, Pondalowie stepped in with the day’s major surprise in the 2026 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m).

The David and Emma-Lee Browne-trained Deep Field six-year-old, based at Pakenham, recorded the first Group 2 win of her career by surging past her competitors in the 1400m contest at odds of $51.

This victory represented her fourth win from 22 starts, a career that has frequently been hampered by misfortune. Winning jockey Lachlan Neindorf indicated that this time, unlike previous races, he almost went looking for trouble.

“I spoke to my form man – he’s a genius and massive shout out to him, James. Jordan – and he said, ‘I’m so convinced with this horse you need to ride it almost for bad luck’,” Neindorf commented. “I found a lot of bad luck. She was in what seemed like an unwinnable position at the 200, but that’s when she really lets and she let rip today and she got over top.”

Pondalowie finished a short-half-head ahead of another outsider, Too Darn Discreet ($21). On Display ($6), who appeared to have the race won when clear at the 150m mark, came in a half-back third. The $2.10 favourite, Gold Coast Belle, finished a disappointing seventh in the field.

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