Owner-breeder Gary Bowen was certain Baby Paris could not run out 1400m.
Trainer Colin Webster and jockey Peter Knuckey had no reservations.
Baby Paris had the final say and she responded emphatically.
The daughter of boom sire Playing God proved too strong in the Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m), leading all the way.
Rusty Dreams tried valiantly to reel her in over the late stages, but Baby Paris had the edge and scored by a short-neck.
With a distance query resolved, the $1.5 million Gold Rush (1400m) in two weeks’ time is now firmly in Baby Paris’ radar.
Bowen, a respected Kalgoorlie trainer, said he’s more than happy his judgment on Baby Paris was off the mark.
“I trained her mother in Kalgoorlie and she couldn’t run 1100 metres,” Bowen told The Races WA.
“She was a good horse and won four races and was very speedy.
“Thankfully the Playing God must have taken over and she can run 1400m now.
“It was a big effort, a huge effort to win with top weight (58.5kg).”
As a homebred, Bowen formed a sentimental attachment with Baby Paris from the get-go.
She oozed talent early by winning on debut and ran second to star mare Amelia’s Jewel in the Karrakatta Plate (1200m) 10-days later.
The Jungle Dawn Classic gave Baby Paris a second Listed win and improved her record to seven wins from 14 starts with stake earnings close to $700,000.
As good and profitable as Baby Paris has exhibited on race days, Bowen says it’s her fighting qualities and resilience that he can’t help but admire.
“The mother died giving birth to Baby Paris,” Bowen said.
“So, she was reared by a foster mother.
“She is tough, she is tough, just like us Kalgoorlie boys.
“She’s only a tiny thing, she’s not very big.
“It gives me a great deal of satisfaction that this win has happened.
“As long as she pulls up ok she’ll go to the Gold Rush.
“That’s the plan.”
Baby Paris capped a big day for Kalgoorlie racing.
Earlier, High Pressure, trained by Brett Drury, won bragging rights in the Regional Championship Final (1400m).
