Goldolphin three-year old colt Encryption has recorded a maiden Group 2 win in the $200,000 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.

The colt out of multiple Group 1 winner Guelph seemingly had no business winning the race at long $21 odds with Ladbrokes, but stormed down the outside to swoop in at the line and steal the win.

With the blinkers on for the first time, Encryption’s explosive final furlong caught Native Solider by surprise as he rode the $3.30 favourite’s back.

Robbie Laing trained Thorondor also hit the line late, but Encryption’s position saw him inch in front in the final 50m.

“Great job by the team at Godolphin,” jockey Craig Williams told Racing.com.

“They had the choice of going up to the 1400 or putting on blinkers here, I think today winning over six furlongs down the straight here at Flemington, in that style, gives really good options going through to the Spring.”

After winning the $297,000 Group 3 Black Opal Stakes (1200m) in Canberra earlier in March, Encryption’s most recent runs this prep had been nothing short of disappointing. The three-year old ran eighth in the Group 3  Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) in August, and finished fifth in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield a fortnight ago.

With a change in tactic from the stable though, Encryption seemed to respond well.

“He was creative in the way he got there, but he’s been enjoying being ridden that bit quieter this preparation, it’s really paid dividends” trainer James Cummings said after the race.

“He’s a really cool horse, he’s got a wonderful nature about him, and it’s a great effort, the whole team’s put in a lot of work to get him to produce third up like they did last preparation with him.”

With plenty more runs to come over the following weeks, the long term goal appears to be the three-year old’s $1 million Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 3.

“We put the blinkers on and agreed that if he went that way up the straight we’d give strong consideration to considering him for the Coolmore,” Cummings told Racing.com. 

Encryption currently sits on the second line of betting at $12.00 with Ladbrokes ahead of November’s race.

For the time being, punters can expect Encryption to be plenty competitive as his prep continues.

“This is a time honoured race to win, he’s a colt with a good turn of foot, he’s got speed and he’s got a wonderful nature that allows him to keep improving as his prep unfolds and hopefully there’s more to come” Cummings said after Saturday’s win.

Full Coolmore Stud Stakes odds can be seen below.