A dashing ride from Scott Galloway led to Mafia Princess scoring the biggest win of her career in today's $100,000 Magic Millions Rockhamption 2YO Plate (1100m).
Sent to the lead from the outset, Mafia Princess was then able to slip clear of her rivals at the top of the long straight and then hold out the red hot favourite Snipzu to win in a thrilling head bobbing photo finish.
A breath separated the $11 pop and the $1.10 favourite when the line was reached in the feature juvenile contest.
A $10,000 bargain buy for part owner and trainer Leigh Wanless, Mafia Princess is a daughter of Hidden Dragon (pictured) and was offered for sale by the farm which stands the sire, Lyndhurst Stud Farm - as agent for breeder Bill Kajewski.
"She was lean and mean," Wanless said when asked why he bought Mafia Princess.
"And you saw that in the race when she looked back at Snipzu, flicked her ear and refused to let her go past."
"My wife Lee actually picked her out at the sales. She liked her and we bought her for $10,000."
"I've had a lot of success buying from Magic Millions sales - another I bought from the QTIS Sale was Tough Luck has won over $270,000."
Wanless, who took over the training of the filly after finishing behind Snipzu last start at the Sunshine Coast, is a renowned horseman who's tasted success with gallopers and harness racehorses.
"She should have won the other day at the Sunshine Coast. She settled well back and she was throwing her head around everywhere wanting to go quicker."
"I've got no doubt with the right run she could have beaten Snipzu and that's what happened today," he added.
One of 75 impressive winners by Danehill's sire son Hidden Dragon, Mafia Princessis one of three winners produced by the winning Raise a Stanza mare Eureka Blues.
From the group winning Semipalatinsk mare Memphis Blues, Eureka Blues is a half sister to the stakes performed Picablu.
She is also closely related to Palatious, the Perth Cup winning dam of Blue Diamond Stakes winner Danelagh (dam of stars Vengeance of Rain and Dizelle).
Mafia Princess is a graduate of last year's Magic Millions QTIS Yearling Sale along with the likes of Lady Colours, Discreet, Love Laughing and Doubtfilly.
Past QTIS Sale graduates include the likes of Shocking, Buffering, Punch On and Spirit of Boom.
The 2012 QTIS Yearling Sale will be held at the Gold Coast on March 18 and 19 and among the yearlings catalogued are 35 by Mafia Princess' sire Hidden Dragon.
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