South Australian galloper Happy Trails has upset a host of Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup hopefuls in the Group Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
“He’s always been underrated and he’s never run a bad race,” trainer Paul Beshara said.
In a solidly run 2000m, Happy Trails settled well back on the rails and jockey Dwayne Dunn saved ground on the six-year-old.
Happy Trails improved his position between runners as the field swung into the straight and he was poised to challenge when a late split came his way.
He burst through near the line to claim Puissance De Lune ($3.90), beating the favourite by a short neck.
Fawkner ($13) loomed to win at the 200m before finishing a head away third.
Outside of the placegetters there were impressive Cups trials turned in by Sydney stayers Fiorente and Hawkspur.
Dunn said a plan to ride Happy Trails further from the speed had worked out for the best when the race became willing at the 1600m.
“At the mile there was a bit of hustle and bustle up front and it was great to be out the back minding our own business,” he said.
Happy Trails will have his next start in the Cox Plate.