Pint-sized Stratum filly Lucy Mae has a heart as big as herself, after looking beaten on the home turn she fought like a tiger the length of the Ascot straight to claim victory in Saturday's $500,000 Group II Karrakatta Plate (1200m).
Jockey Shaun McGruddy positioned Lucy Mae outside of the leader, Achernar Star, but she was under pressure turning from home.
With Achernar Star fighting on bravely, the pair looked likely to be swamped in the closing stages.
Lucy Mae clung to a long-head advantage over Achernar Star (Gingerbread Man) with Debellatio (Smart Missile) a half-head back in third.
Short-priced favourite Seannie (Sebring) again had little luck clocking in sixth.
Winner of the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m) at Pinjarra in February, Lucy Mae finished second to Kiss Bang Love in the Group III Gimcrack Stakes at Ascot at her most recent start.
Her overall record advances to 2 wins and 2 seconds from 5 starts with earnings of $495,298.
It was the second win in the race, 29 years apart, for trainer Ted Martinovich, after Hold That Smile in 1988.
"Unbelievable, there's nothing of her, have a look at her, all guts she is," Martinovich said.
"She looked to be beaten five times but she just kept going and going, she's got some guts about her, no doubt about that.
"She doesn't need a lot of work because there's not much of her, but she's going really well."
Purchased by part-owner Martin Epis for $80,000 from the Scenic Lodge draft at the 2016 Magic Millions Perth Yearling sale, Lucy Mae (pictured as a yearling ) is the ninth foal and fourth winner out of the Scenic mare Razzia.
Purchased for $27,500 by Scenic Lodge from the Broadwater Thoroughbreds draft at the 2014 magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, Razzia is a sister to 4-time Group I winner Universal Prince and Group I Robert Sangster Stakes winner Universal Queen.
Lucy Mae becomes the 34th stakes winner for the deceased Stratum who is having his most successful season.
Currently the seventh leading sire in the nation, Stratum has a select group of six yearlings heading to the Easter Yearling sale (View them here).
