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Sydney filly lands maiden Stakes win at Victorian debut
Lilac inserted herself firmly into the Thousand Guineas picture with Listed victory at her first Victorian start.
The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained filly, who is a close relation to Foxwedge, took her record to two wins from four starts when she emphatically passed her first test not only in Saturday company, but Black Type grade in the $175,000 Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m).
The daughter of Justify tired late, but had the race won well before the finish, and lasted to score a head win over the fast-finishing Delichy Boulevard and another Sydney-sider, Too Darn Lizzy.
The Champion Thoroughbreds-raced filly is now an $11 chance in Thousand Guineas betting, which is headed by Hayasugi at $5, and while Neasham said that is an option the main objective of the trip south was realised with the win.
"Physically, she's still got a bit of a way to go, she's quite a slender filly that has still got a lot to go and I think the best is still yet ahead of her.
"We'll just see how she comes through this (and) see how deep into a prep we get.
"But, most importantly, we've got the Stakes win today, so the pressure's off in that regard. But hopefully she can build on her CV from here on in."
Lilac is the second foal from Fastnet Rock mare Paulownia, who is a sister to Group 1-winning colt and sire Foxwedge.
