The pinnacle of the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival lit up Sydney’s Rosehill Gardens Racecourse yesterday, as 15 runners battled it out in the $1 million Group One Golden Rose (1400m).

Toorak Toff overcame the odds in the 2010 Golden Rose to claim the win; showing to punters if you go against the markets you can reap some decent rewards.

It was a gallant run from the three-year-old which was guided from the saddle by top jockey Damien Oliver. There was just one-and-a-half lengths separating the top six finishers, in what was a thrilling finish.

The win marks the end of trainer Rick Hore-Lacy’s elite race-winning drought, not having won a Group One race for six years. It was also the first time the Golden Rose has been won by a Victorian-trained three-year-old.

The Run To The Rose winner Squamosa was superb from barrier 14. The previously unbeaten colt saw Nash Rawiller take the reins, and the pair was simply devastating.

Trainer Gai Waterhouse has every confidence in the three-year-old that big things will occur this spring, so keep an eye on the odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Ilovethiscity ran well to finish third, with Decision Time back in fourth.
Early interception in the race saw Masquerader, the pre race favourite at pushed out wide, and finished in a disappointing seventh.

Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily returned to the track in the 2010 Golden Rose. The Stratum filly finished in a disappointing 10^th place with favoured jockey Brett Prebble guiding from the saddle.

Also taking place on Saturday was the $125,000 Group Three Concorde Stakes (1100m) which saw Reward For Effort claim the honours in a superb run. If you would like to follow any of the runners’ spring campaigns, make sure you’re signed up to for the best odds and offers!

2010 Golden Rose Results