An attractive bay colt by the New Zealand champion sire Zabeel, Don Eduardo was a $3.6 million yearling purchase at Karaka for Eduardo Cojuangco.

After four unplaced efforts, two of which were at stakes level, the colt broke his maiden status when he thrashed Cherry Orchard by over three lengths in a Maiden at Bendigo in late January.

His trainer Lee Freedman then sent the colt back to the same track where he scored a runaway six length win against a weak field of Class One gallopers.

Today was Don Eduardo's toughest test and he came through in flying colours, sending out a warning there were better wins in store.

"It was a pretty impressive win and he's an exciting horse," Lee Freedman said after the Schweppes Cup win.

Freedman will decide whether the gelding needs another run before heading to Sydney in search of Group One glory.

"We'll see how he pulls up after today before deciding if he needs another run before the Rosehill Guineas," Freedman added.

Since joining the Freedman stable Don Eduardo had been "a slow learner" according to his trainer.

"He is still learning and he tends to be a bit lazy," Freedman said.

"With his settling in his races so well he appears to be the perfect kind of horse for the (AJC) Derby," he added.

Adding further merit to the win were the sectionals posted by the famous youngster. Don Eduardo covered his final 600 metres in an excellent 34.48 seconds. His last 400 metres was in 22.92, while the final 200 was covered in just 11.6 seconds.

At the finishing post Don Eduardo had cleared away to win by a length and a half over the $9 chance Leather Lane, while the $3.80 second favourite Exaggerate was a half head away in third place.

The disappointing run of the race came from the $3 favourite Grey Song. The Hughes trained runner managed to only finish in seventh place, some 6.3 lengths from the winner.

PICS - Quentin Lang.

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