The Group 3 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m), run in memory of the late trainer, delivered an upset result on Saturday afternoon with the John Thompson-trained Danesiri surging home to victory with a starting price of $21.

Danesiri was the upset winner of the Guy Walter Stakes at Warwick Farm. Photo by Steve Hart.

It was perhaps an oversight by punters considering the six-year-old mare ran second in the Group 3 Triscay Stakes (1200m) two weeks ago, which is considered the key lead-up race to the Guy Walter Stakes. She went up against five of her rivals from the race, beating them all home once again.

Danesiri was midfield as the group began to bunch right up, not making up ground until the turn for home. The mare hit the front just in front from Gai Waterhouse’s favourite Cosmic Endeavour with Peter & Paul Snowden’s Mahara just grabbing third place in a photo finish with Solicit.

It was the second win of the day for Thompson after his star filly First Seal took out the Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m) in race four, and it couldn’t have come in a more appropriate race.

“You have no idea (what this means to me),” the trainer said.

“He was a massive supporter of me and his family gave me a lot of his horses after his passing. What can you say? He was an absolute champion of a man and it’s an honour to win his race.

“You never know with mares, when they’re in-form they’re in form. She ran perfectly in the Triscay and you know she was going to improve.”

Christian Reith delivered the winning ride aboard Danesiri in the 2015 Guy Walter Stakes, which will undoubtedly give him confidence after a slow start on his return from Hong Kong.

“It’s a big honour to win, Guy was one of those true gentlemen of the racecourse,” he said.

“All credit goes to John and his staff. They’ve got this mare going an absolute treat.”

2015 Guy Walter Stakes Race Results & Finishing Order