Back near the tail of the field on the home turn, the 4yo daughter of Smart Missile came with a well-timed run under John Allen to defeat the stubborn Tricky Gal (Magic Albert) by a short-half-head with My Pendant (Pins) a further two and a quarter lengths back in third. The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Missile Mantra was sent off favourite off the back of a close-up sixth beaten just over a length, in the Group 1 Empire Rose stakes ay Flemington won by Shout The Bar.

Winning Trainer: Peter & Paul Snowden (Peter speaking)

“Watching it I was really confident. She was travelling really well down the hill. Through the dip I just thought it was a matter of timing it right and he did perfectly. I thought the margin was going to be better than it was but, look, I’ll take it. Half a head is as good as ten lengths. It’s still a win and I’m really glad for all her owners.

“Three or four times we’ve been beaten by the same amount and one of them was in a Group 1 so she deserved that and I’m really happy for everyone. It’s gut wrenching to get beaten by that much in a big race.

Triple Crown Syndications: “They’ve been fantastic. Every year they keep buying nice horses and they keep training on. We’re so grateful to have them in our stable.”

Paddock next: “She’s done a great job. Normally she’s about three runs in and she’s starting to (have enough) but she’s gone really well in the prep this time in. But she’ll go to the paddock now, go out a winner and she’s done a great job.”

Winning Jockey: John Allen

“At the furlong pole I thought that I could go on and win easily enough but to Tricky Gal’s credit it gave a good kick.

“She was a high-class three-year-old. She ran super. I was looking to get on her today in a race that was good for her to win. She wasn’t stopping at the line either so I think a mile isn’t an issue either. She’s a good consistent filly that always does her best.”