BRISBANE March 6 AAP - Former smart New Zealand galloper Uppland defied a life-threatening injury to score his first win in 18 months and continue apprentice Priscilla Schmidt's golden run at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.
Uppland was considered good enough to bring to Australia for the winter carnival three-year-old classics last year after being placed in New Zealand's Gore Guineas and Southland Guineas.
While he didn't win, Uppland raced well enough against the top three-year-olds for South Island trainer Ken Rae to leave him with Eagle Farm trainer Dwyane Schmidt.
"We had him ready to race last year and took him to the pool for a swim when he reared up and impaled his stomach on two stakes," Schmidt said.
"He is lucky to be alive and lucky to be racing at all.
"He hasn't won for a long time but he loves the wet and that was the first genuinely heavy track for him since we got him."
Schmidt's daughter Priscilla led all the way to score her 20th win since she returned to riding from injury on January 12.
"Things have been going well and let's hope it continues," she said.
Trainer Les Ross will back up smart two-year-old Voodoo Blue Magic in the $85,000 QTIS Two Year old (1400m) at Caloundra on Sunday.
Voodoo Blue Magic ($3.60) won the Drumbeats Two Year Old Plate (1200m) on Wednesday.
"I remember top trainer Barry Miller winning three races in a week with a two-year-old in the wet. He always said if they handle the wet don't be afraid to back them up," said Ross, who completed a double with Caressable One in the Sports Club Plate (1500m).