Torrens takes out inaugural The Beauford at Newcastle

Prepared by Warwick Farm trainer Lauri Parker, Torrens started a $5 chance after victory in the $140,000 listed City Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m) at Randwick, in what was Duggan’s biggest win.

The two-kilogram claiming apprentice bettered that in stunning style on Saturday as Torrens showed speed to lead early before kicking clear in the straight to prevail by almost four lengths from the fast-finishing Paul Perry-trained Olympic Gaze ($61). Hush Writer was a close third.

Torrens, a five-year-old Adelaide stallion, gave Duggan another highlight in her comeback from a horror fall at Scone in May 2020. The mother of three suffered a fractured skull, broken nose, concussion and bleeding on the brain in the accident.

“I didn’t know they were coming so it was a nice treat,” Duggan told Sky Racing.

“I just love this horse and I can’t thank Lauri enough for the opportunity, and the owners, he’s so amazing.

“The one thing we knew going into this is he’ll run the distance, so I wasn’t scared of taking it up. I don’t know what it is, but he seems to race a bit better when he finds the fence so I thought if I can get there, I’m just going to try and do it.

Racing NSW created The Beauford this year to add to The Hunter standalone program.