Just when race followers thought Sheza Alibi’s win in the Makybe Diva Stakes had put things back on track after Oliveanotherday’s defeat in the Bobbie Lewis Quality, Pondalowie emerged with the day’s major upset in the Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m).

The six-year-old mare by Deep Field, trained by David and Emma-Lee Browne at Pakenham, achieved the first Group 2 victory of her career when she surged over the top of her rivals in the 1400m race as a $51 outsider.

It was the fourth win in a 22-start career that has been frequently troubled by bad luck. However, winning jockey Lachlan Neindorf mentioned that on this occasion, he almost went in search of interference, unlike previous races.

“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 explained. “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 edged out another roughie, the $21 chance Too Darn Discreet, by a short-half-head. On Display ($6), who was celebrated as the winner when clear at the 150m mark, finished a half-back third in a race where the $2.10 favourite, Gold Coast Belle, came in a disappointing seventh.

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