Tears flow with $254 winner

It will be a moment Queensland trainer Jack Butler and driver Brendan Barnes never forget – the night they both won their first Group 1.

Butler and Barnes combined to win the inaugural $100,000 Garrards Golden Girl at Albion Park tonight with Jeradas Delight who returned odds of $254 on the local tote.

The six-year-old Bettors Delight mare caused the upset by holding out her more fancied rivals – the Nathan Purdon-trained duo Spellbound and Amazing Dream – to record a personal best mile rate of 1:52.5.

“That’s my first Group 1 and I’m just super proud of the horse, she has been going so well,” an emotional Barnes said when returning to scale.

“Jack has been a great supporter of mine and it’s great to bring up the milestone together.”

Butler was formerly based in Bathurst, New South Wales, and made the lucrative move to Queensland in 2015.

He has trained 1087 winners and is currently the third top trainer in the Sunshine State but tonight’s result tops all of the success.

“I shed a couple of tears and when the owner (Ray Cahill) rang me there were tears as well,” said Butler.

“To have all of my kids here tonight as well is just amazing.”

Jeradas Delight not only defied her odds, she also overcame her outside draw on the second row.

Still near last heading into the back straight, Barnes had to angle Jeradas Delight wide and made ground while the final two splits were 27.8 and 28.9 seconds.

“Once the draw came out I was a bit shattered but the dream came true for both of us,” said Butler.

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink