A late change of plans and a horse who "can do almost anything" have given Queensland trainer Robert Heathcote his greatest day at the races and upset one of the stars of the Australian turf.
Solzhenitsyn, a horse who cost a mere $10,000, stormed to a long neck victory in the Toorak Hcp (1600m) on Saturday.
As much as Solzhenitsyn deserved his victory, the sentiment in the race rode with the favourite, More Joyous.
But the weight (60kg) and a wide early run told and she faded to fourth, three lengths from the winner.
Solzhenitsyn ($5) carried 8kg less than More Joyous, as did runner-up Spirit Song ($21), while third placegetter Yosei ($14) received 7.5kg from the topweight.