The expected tussle between Arabian Gold and Catkins has gone pear-shaped for punters with Peeping upstaging the highly favoured duo in the Group Two Golden Pendant.

Catkins was sent out the $1.75 favourite in Saturday's race on the back of her win in the Sheraco Stakes at her first appearance of the season two weeks ago.

Arabian Gold was the only other horse in the race under double figure odds at $6.50 with Peeping at $16 after her failure in the Sheraco when she was found to have cardiac arrhythmia.

Two Blue ($26) took up her customary role in front and with the favourites labouring behind her, it seemed she might claim an overdue stakes win.

But under strong riding from Sam Clipperton, Peeping came out of the pack to beat her by three-quarters of a length.

"She had to go back to the trials after her last start," trainer Ron Quinton said.

"She trialled so well we decided to put her in this.

"There was a bit of a query for her over the 1400 metres and I told Sam to remember that and he rode her well."

Clipperton served his apprenticeship with Quinton and said the win was the most important the pair had shared.

"That is pretty special. That is the biggest race we've won together," Clipperton said.

"She relaxed well. The 1400 metres was always going to be a query but we got the perfect run for her to run it out strong.

"It is very satisfying because after her last start we were in a bit of shock."

Connections of Catkins are hoping her performance was because of "second-up" syndrome and the extra weight she is carrying.

"She's probably not as effective second-up and the stats probably show that," her jockey Hugh Bowman said.

"That said, even if she runs a flat race, which she can do from time to time, she's better than she was today.

"I peeled off Peeping's back and I was supremely confident but by the time I got outside Peeping's heels I was in bother."

Arabian Gold, who ran last, will have to go back to the trials before she races again while Two Blue will have a well-earned rest after posting her fifth second in a stakes race from her past five starts.

"She will have a break and come back for another go in the autumn and winter," trainer Kristen Buchanan said.

"She is so gutsy and we are all excited like we've won it."

Quinton said now Peeping had won over 1400m, she may step up to 1600m in the Angst Stakes in two weeks.