Improved filly Enquare took a nasty spill in the race-day stalls before being passed fit to win the Listed $100,000 Breakfast Creek Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Trainer Jason McLachlan admitted he might need a strong drink after the Enquare, favourite at $2.80, scored by 1-1/2 lengths to Cannyzing ($13) with a length to the heavily backed Nicked and Court ($12) in third.
McLachlan said Enquare was standing in the stalls when a nearby horse lashed out.
"Enquare took fright and reared over taking some skin of her legs," McLachlan said.
The filly is now headed for the spelling paddock and will return for some of the three-year-old races during the summer carnival.
McLachlan said Enquare was one of several young horses in his stable which could take the place of older stars such as Golden Slipper winner Phelan Ready and Group horse Facile Tigre.
The win was a boost for jockey Justin Stanley who has been making an impressive comeback from injury.
Stanley has been doing a lot of the McLachlan stable riding and has also been closely linked with Enquare.
"It was great that the owners stuck with Justin today. Now we have a Listed race win together," McLachlan said.
Enquare is raced by the Slade Bloodstock group which has six horses in the McLachlan stable.
Cannyzing ran a good race after hitting the lead early in the straight.