Long range plan comes to fruition with PRINCE OF SUSSEX triumphant in the $1M VOBIS Showdown

After an impressive win in the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush four weeks earlier at Bendigo, PRINCE OF SUSSEX has spectacularly taken out the VOBIS Showdown over 1200m at Caulfield winning by 1.75 lengths, ridden by Michael Dee.

It was after a promising first trial that Matt and managing owner Paul Dugan decided to bypass the prestigious and incredibly tough Blue Diamond Stakes; the dream was to win the inaugural VOBIS Showdown, offering a tempting 1 million dollars in prizemoney.

Winning the Gold Rush at Bendigo in such a dominant manner certainly added to the expectation that Prince Of Sussex was a legitimate chance of securing the Showdown. Even an average pre-race gallop during the week didn't quell the expectation that the striking son of Toronado would be right in the finish - it would take a super horse to beat him. In Matt's own words, he is a "game day horse" and once again he proved that emphatically.

Having a horse of this calibre in our stable is an honour and we thank the continued support of his owners, especially Paul Dugan. Paul has tasted success in racing having had shares in a number of our past & current horses, namely Listed winner Pearl Star and the stakesplaced promising 3yo filly Rainbow Girl.

Similarly with Rainbow Girl, Paul has syndicated Prince Of Sussex with past school mates and friends - some of which he met through horse ownership with our stable. Sharing these momentous victories with them has been one of the greatest parts of the entire experience for him.

That is certainly clear from the images and vision of the winning connections - they are of pure, unadulterated joy. Generally, it is a moment in racing life that most can only dream of.

After Saturday's win, it is fair to say that sometimes dreams really do come true.

Watch his outstanding Showdown win below.

and Matt Laurie's post race interview here: