Racing: Gold Coast Guineas boilover caps return from horrific injury

There were many deserved winners at the Gold Coast on Saturday, but none more so than courageous jockey Justin Stanley.

Nearly five years after he suffered horrific injuries and almost lost his life at the same venue, Stanley capped his comeback when he rode local filly Beethog to an upset win in the A$125,000 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m).

Stanley was swamped with backslaps from his fellow jockeys, and adding to the emotion was the fact the lanky hoop combined with his most loyal supporter on the Gold Coast, trainer Les Kelly, to win the group three feature.

"It's great to be able to win a good race for Les," Stanley said.

"We have had a bit of luck together over the years and he has always stuck by me."

Beethog ($51) caused the upset of the day when she flew home late to nab Temple Of Boom ($5) in the shadows of the post for a long neck win.

In a blanket finish, Fifteen Carat ($21) caught the eye when he flashed home late to finish a half-head back third, while punters' elect Stryker ($4) dead-heated with 2009 Magic Millions and Golden Slipper winner Phelan Ready ($12) for fourth.

The luck Stanley has shared with Kelly is in stark contrast to the misfortune that has plagued the 29-year-old's career.

In December 2005, Stanley lay motionless on the Gold Coast track after his mount speared him into the turf. He received a fractured skull, a broken jaw in two places, broken collarbone, broken right knee and torn ligaments.

After more than two years of frustrating rehabilitation, Stanley made a gradual return to the saddle by riding work in New Zealand but fate again intervened when he smashed his right leg while riding trackwork.

Despite the setbacks, Stanley was always confident he would make it back to race riding.

"My balance was gone for a while but I kept working at it and I was always confident I could get back," Stanley said.

"It's been a long time but to win a race like this makes it all worth it."

Trainer Chris Waller brought his Sydney autumn carnival form to Queensland but spring looms as an even bigger stage after Metal Bender's win in the group two Hollindale Stakes.

Metal Bender caused an upset when he toppled Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Road To Rock by 1 lengths in the 1800m feature.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained Gold Water filled the minor placing a further short head away.

Waller was concerned at the start of the week when the Gold Coast track was rated heavy but his confidence soared after an upgrade to slow.

"He's a very good horse and Hughie Bowman rode him well," Waller said.

"I'm very fortunate to be able to train him and he'll run in the Doomben Cup next.

"It's very good prizemoney here in the winter but after the Doomben Cup he'll have a break and we'll look at the big spring races in Melbourne."

Waller was always confident the son of Danasinga would improve in Queensland despite failing at his previous two starts in the TJ Smith (1200m) and All-Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.

"Those races were too short for him and he was always looking for longer," he said.

Bowman will stay with Metal Bender in the Doomben Cup (2020m) in a fortnight after replacing suspended rider Damien Oliver.

Despite his defeat, jockey Stathi Katsidis and trainer Anthony Cummings were confident Road To Rock could get his revenge on Metal Bender in the Doomben Cup.

- AAP