ALLAN Endresz admits for a fleeting moment he thought Alligator Blood had done enough to hand him his biggest thrill in racing in the Caulfield Guineas on Saturday.
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Alligator Blood looked to have the $2 million feature shot to pieces a furlong from home after jockey Ryan Maloney booted well clear and set up a commanding lead.
But similar to Alligator Blood on debut, the Anthony Freedman-trained Super Seth descended from the clouds to score a breathtaking victory wide out on the track to score a thrilling win by a nose.
Endresz said his initial euphoria when the horses crossed the line was soon replaced by bewilderment as Super Seth flashed out wide on the track.
"It was a bittersweet feeling," Endresz said.
"The jubilation for a split-second was just an amazing feeling.
"From where I was standing watching the race, I didn't even see Super Seth launching late from out wide on the track.
"My son Mathew and I and the rest of the family went crazy when we thought we had won and had done the impossible.
"Then we realised it was a photo finish and I knew we were in a bit of trouble because the other horse powered home and had all the momentum.
"The result brought us back to earth pretty quickly."
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The nose defeat cost Endresz a huge pay day.
The prizemoney for first was $1.2 million with the runner-up receiving $360,000.
The Albury businessman - who has been fighting bankruptcy for the past two decades - also missed out on a monster collect after having $3500 each-way on Alligator Blood at 200/1 in futures markets.
"I keep telling people who ask me about missing the windfall that with the issues I've had with valuable assets frozen for 20 years and building my business up again - it gives you a different perspective," he said.
"Leading into the race I didn't have the money to start with.
"Don't get my wrong, it would have been nice to have pocketed a tattslotto-like windfall.
"But after what I have been through you tend to behave differently and respect your rivals."
A small consolation for Endresz was some Western Bulldogs players including Lachie Hunter alongside teammates Tory Dickson and Lukas Webb part-own Super Seth.
Endresz is a fanatical Bulldogs supporter.
"I went up to most of the guys in the winning syndicate and congratulated them being associated with Western Bulldogs," he said.
"It was awesome for them and they were happy to see one of the connections of Alligator Blood in the middle of their crowd high-fiving.
"It was a memorable moment for me and I think the race will be remembered for a long time as one of the truly great races run at Caulfield."
Alligator Blood will now head to the spelling paddock before targeting a race over the Magic Millions carnival.