Settled towards the rear of the field by Damien Oliver, La Amistad attacked the line in impressive fashion to win by two lengths over Sonntag (Teofilo), with Zabeelionaire (Zabeel) a further short-half-head away in third.
It was the second stakes win for the daughter of Redoute's Choice who had not win since capturing the Listed McKell Cup at Randwick on this day last year.
"It's a long way from now until the Melbourne Cup but at least we've got some sort of chance," co-trainer Wayne Hawkes told racing.com.
"She wasn't good enough last year and I said that publicly but she's started to do it on her own accord now and that's great.
"We were slightly disappointed with her effort in Adelaide last start considering the run that she had and she needed to do what she did today.
"She relished the two miles (3200m) and though she mightn't have won by panels it was a solid effort to come from last."
Passed in when not meeting her $750,000 reserve at the 2011 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, La Amistad was retained to race by Tony Santic's Makybe and partners and is the fifth winner for the Riverman mareTugela (USA).
In addition to being a three-quarter sister to Horse Of The Year Makybe Diva, La Amistad is a full sister to Group II winner Musket and half-sister to Group III winner Valkyrie Diva.
Tugela (USA) has an unraced 2yo sister to Makybe Diva named Collins (pictured with Tugela).
After missing to Street Cry (IRE) in 2012 and Snitzel in 2013, Tugela foaled a filly from the first crop of All Too Hard.
She died two weeks after foaling the All Too Hard filly.
