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The national spotlight shone on tonight's Ballarat trots as a determined nine-year-old skewbald placed first-up from a seven-year spell, leaving his debutante son in his wake.
The subject of a Nine News Melbourne piece, which can be enjoyed at the bottom of this article, Ernie Eldorado thrilled his host of new fans with a stoic third placing in tonight's Support Team Teal Vicbred Maiden Pace.
Trained by Karlene and Graham Tindale, the Safari stallion out of Elegant White Star followed leader and eventual winner Jilliby Roy stride-for-stride for reinswoman Kate Gath until the closing stages.
While Jilliby Roy gained separation to win by 10 metres from second-placed Tiger Play, Ernie Eldorado battled manfully to produce the second third placing of his career, some 2619 days since he placed on debut on Boxing Day of 2012.
"He’s the best coloured horse we’ve bred, generally they don’t run very fast," said Karlene ahead of tonight's hit-out.
While Ernie Eldorado impressed it was tough going for Ernieson, who finished ninth and last on debut, 60 metres shy of the winner.
CLICK BELOW TO WATCH THE NINE NEWS MELBOURNE STORY ON ERNIE:
It's not uncommon in sport to find Dads stretching out their careers in the hope of one day playing in the same team as their sons.
— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) February 26, 2020
And that's sort of the case at the Ballarat trots tonight, but this father-son combination will be competing against one another. @TJch9 #9News pic.twitter.com/mKegWOGrF7