When Mary Porter bought into her first race horse nine years ago, the former politician had no idea it would lead to her becoming part of history with the $10 million Everest - the world's richest turf race.
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Porter and her partner Ian De Landelles bought a share in Canberra trainer Matthew Dale's Notjustaprettyface and when she retired to become a broodmare it led to them looking for a share in another horse.
Dale had just bought a share in Fell Swoop, Canberra's hope in the 1200-metre race that has quickly captured the public's imagination ahead of its inaugural running at Randwick on Saturday.
De Landelles dropped in to Dale's stables at Canberra's Thoroughbred Park and told the Canberra trainer to keep them in mind for any other horses.
With a young Fell Swoop, or "Ralph" as he's affectionately known, just on his books, Dale had the perfect option that's taken the couple to some of the biggest sprints in Australia.
And now they're one of just 12 runners in the biggest sprint of all.
Porter, a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly, said she couldn't have imagined where her racing journey would end up after getting involved in 2008.
If she hadn't worked with Dale's uncle Mick Doyle then she probably wouldn't have a stake in the horse that will represent Inglis in a $10 million race.
"I had no idea [how good Fell Swoop would be] ... when he started to go through the ranks I thought, 'Oh my god, we really have a horse on our hands here'," Porter said.
"It'll be a great day and being part of history too, because it's never been run before, so that'll be one you can tell the grandchildren about later."
Fell Swoop travelled from Moruya to Sydney on Friday after Dale took him for his final "trot and canter".
He'll bunk down at Rosehill before heading to Randwick on Saturday.
While the six-year-old gelding is a $51 long shot for The Everest, he goes to Randwick with some happy memories having placed behind the world's best sprinter Chautauqua in the last two runnings of the TJ Smith Stakes.
The TJ was the grand final for Australian sprinters before The Everest came along.
Chautauqua has shortened to become equal $5-favourite, along with Vega Magic.
Fell Swoop will wear winkers for the first time just to "switch him on" after finishing eighth in the group 2 Premiere Stakes and sixth in The Shorts so far this preparation.
Dale said he hadn't yet finalised a race plan for jockey Tye Angland when he jumps from barrier 8 and will wait to see how the forecast rain affects the Randwick track - Fell Swoop prefers it damp under hoof.
"We went for a nice relaxing trot and canter this morning and he felt great so everything's in order as he heads to Sydney," Dale said.
"The expectation is just to run well, just to do us proud and run well, which he's done on so many occasions.
"We're not putting too much weight of expectation on him, produce him as best we can on the day and then sit back and enjoy the ride."
THE EVEREST
Saturday: The Everest (1200 metres), the world's richest turf race, at Royal Randwick at 4.15pm. Live on Prime and Sky Racing.
