Rejuvenated sprinter Too Many Reds is Sydney-bound after his dramatic Eagle Farm win on Saturday.
Jockey Larry Cassidy praised the courage of Too Many Reds ($3.20 eq fav), who pushed through a narrow gap in the final stages to overhaul Latin News ($5.50) and win by a short neck with Morning Captain ($3.20 eq fav) a long head away third.
"He copped a couple of whacks over the head with the whip of another jockey but he was all courage," Cassidy said.
Too Many Reds has a history of poor barrier manners and Cassidy was on high alert pre-race.
"He kept trying to get his head down on the ground when he was in the gates and it's just a matter of standing over him and making him focus on what he should be doing," Cassidy said.
The six-year-old is now likely to head to Sydney for the Listed City Tattersall's Lightning (1100m) at Randwick on October 20.
"His owner Joe O'Neill is keen for him to run in the Lightning and the way he won today he'd have to be a great chance in it," trainer Tony Gollan said.
"A fast-run 1100m race is probably his best journey and he's done a great job since Joe sent him to us a few months ago."
Gollan was successful earlier at Eagle Farm in the Barrier Reef Pools Handicap (1000m) with $1.90 favourite Theft clocking an impressive 56.88 seconds.
"He had to cover a bit of ground but he was the best horse in the race and he proved it today," Gollan said.
"I'll step him up to open company where he'll get in on the minimum and be even better suited when he gets to 1200m."