Courting ended her racing career with an upset victory in the John Musker Fillies` Stakes at Yarmouth today.
The 14-1 shot left her trainer William Haggas with egg on his face as better-fancied stable-companion Moselle (7-1) could finish only third in the track`s richest race of the year.
But the winner, who is retiring to the paddocks and is already in foal to Danzero, owed her success to an enterprising ride by Seb Sanders - whose 60th victory of the year took him into the top 10 of the jockeys` table.
Trusting to the filly`s stamina on her first try at a mile and a quarter, he went to the front after only two furlongs and quickened in the straight as his rivals in a 15-runner field got in each other`s way behind.
He kept just enough in reserve to hold off fast-finishing 9-2 favourite Sacred Song by half a length, with Moselle a further three quarters of a length away.
'That`s it for Courting, she is now retired,' Haggas said after the filly`ssecond career Listed win. 'She was very brave and if what she breeds is half as tough we will have some fun.
'Unfortunately Moselle was pretty unlucky as she never got a run but she is staying in training so she can come back next year.
'She has had a long old year but it is more than likely that she will run in the Sun Chariot Stakes.
'But it`s a bit embarrassing having one owner with a terribly-unlucky third while I`ve got a big smile on my face as I`ve had the winner!'
Dancing Mystery, backed from a morning 16-1 into 12-1, gave Eric Wheeler a timely boost with victory in the Tote Credit Club Stakes.
The trainer revealed: 'The week didn`t start very well as somebody nicked my car on Friday - but that`s a bit better.'
Dancing Mystery, landing the 11th win of his 62-race career, came home a length and a half clear of slow-starting Smart Predator in the 'Showcase Handicap'.
And Wheeler added: 'It`s not been a very good year and we haveonly had nine winners but the right one has won at the right time - that was the right one.
'He`s a grand old horse but he has got to have firm ground.'
Milton Bradley had no qualms about sending a team of horses from his base on the Welsh border across to Britain`s most easterly course, despite the fuel crisis.
And the 230-mile trip paid off as his Chez Bonito took the Bennetts Electrical Megastores Claiming Stakes, opening race at the track`s three-day meeting.
'We have plenty of diesel at home and we managed to get some on the way so we`ve got enough to get home and we`re all right,' said Bradley`s travelling head lad Graham Lucas.
'We came yesterday - the roads were nice and quiet! - and we have brought six horse in the big, old box for the three days.'
