KEY POINTS:
As Jeff Crouth watched a blood-splattered Running On Faith limp off the Alexandra Park last May he thought her career was over.
Last night she completed her journey back to the winner's circle in the greatest fillies race of them all in the $150,000 Pascoes Northern Oaks.
The gutsy filly downed red hot favourite One Dream in the classic after trailing her to the straight and outstaying her up the passing lane after the latter's driver Frank Cooney lost his whip at the top of the straight.
It was a heart-warming moment for trainer Crouth and driver Peter Ferguson after Running On Faith's career looked in tatters when she crashed to the track in last season's Sires' Stakes Final.
"After the race I thought I would never get her back," said Crouth. "But she is so tough and tries so hard. Even now she is not back to as good as she was before the smash but it was good enough."
The win stunned punters who had hammered One Dream on the tote, especially after hot favourite Susie Maguire had them cashed up by winning the $100,000 Caduceus Club Classic a race earlier.
Like Running On Faith she trailed and used the passing lane, downing her stablemate Itz Cherry Ripe and pacemaker Lizzie Maguire.
