Red-hot favourite Space Rider downed as Dushenka delivers stunning debut victory at Eagle Farm

While debutant Dushenka announced herself as a star on the rise, it was the shock defeat of Space Rider that created the most discussion in the opening race at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Dushenka caused a boilover in the opener at Eagle Farm on Saturday Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

It was supposed to be the easiest of put in and take out jobs.

But the opener at Eagle Farm on Saturday proved anything but with $1.14 favourite Space Rider beaten out of a place in the Racecourse Village 2YO Handicap (1200m).

Instead it was the Stuart Kendrick-trained Dushenka that cemented herself as a potential star on the rise, the two-year-old Doubtland filly surging clear late for the most impressive of debuts.

Such was her dominance late, Dushenka ($15) streaked clear to score by 2¼ lengths on the line over Idyllic Affair ($61) with North Pole ($7) a whisker away in third.

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“When you turn up taking on a $1.10 favourite it’s hard to be too confident but we did think she’d run a forward race,” stable representative Bayley Kendrick said.

“She’s a well-built filly that we’ve had a lot of time for and she’s really matured up nicely.

“Going straight to the 1200m was never going to be a problem for her. In her recent trial at the Sunshine Coast she got the better of another horse of ours (Varejao) that we’ve got a bit of time for.

“It’s great to launch her career this way. There’s a bit to be excited about.”

Winning jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor was full of praise for Dushenko’s debut performance before issuing a heartfelt message to jockeys Beany Panya and Blake Spriggs who were hospitalised after being involved in a nasty fall at Moruya on Friday.

“She trialled really well the other day at the Sunny Coast and it was great to see her bring that attitude to the races like she did,” Wilson-Taylor said.

Dushenka takes the first at Eagle Farm on debut!@kendrickracing1 | @BrisRacingClubpic.twitter.com/YkuY1DqeIL

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“When I came off Jimmy’s back (on Space Rider) she gave me a really good feeling and when I gave her a little smack she really found.

“I want to send my prayers to Beany Panya and Blake Spriggs as well. Our thoughts are with them.”

Following the shock defeat of Space Rider, Stewards revealed a veterinary inspection found a slow post race recovery.

Connections of Space Rider had been sweating on a start in Friday night’s rescheduled Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast where the highly touted colt was at the pointy end of betting following an impressive winning debut.

But after failing to gain a start, trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr pivoted to the Eagle Farm assignment where he began in lacklustre fashion before having to work to get up outside the leader.

Originally published as Red-hot favourite Space Rider downed as Dushenka delivers stunning debut victory at Eagle Farm