The impressive debut of the Dundeel filly The Closer in a two-year-old fillies handicap over 1350 metres at Geelong on Sunday provided a timely tonic to her trainer Ciaron Maher who is laid up with a broken leg.
Settled back towards the rear of the field by Linda Meech, The Closer circled the field before overpowering another first starter, Wild Flyer (Starcraft), by a half-length with the favourite Angel (Fastnet Rock) two and three-quarters back in third.
Stable representative David Eustice said The Closer is highly regarded by the stable.
"She's a filly Ciaron has really liked. He has been very patient with her," Eustice said.
"She was going really well last prep but it was decided to give her a break and it's all coming to fruition now.
"She's got a big action and she's very athletic, but she still has plenty of furnishing to do so we are hopeful she will get over a bit of ground and up in class."
Purchased by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock / W Ballantine for $70,000 out of the Gilgai Farm draft the 2017 Premier Yearling Sale, The Closer (pictured as a yearling ) is the second living foal of the Sandown winning Elusive Quality (USA) mare Miss Evasive.
A daughter of the Group 1 VRC Oaks and Group 1 VATC Thousand Guineas winner Magical Miss (Danehill), Miss Evasive was a $250,000 Magic Millions National Broodmare purchase by Dermot Farrington.
After a rocky start to her broodmare career, Miss Evasive has an unraced 4yo colt by Moshe before foaling The Closer.
Her yearling colt by Olympic Glory was purchased by Paul Perry for $140,000 out of the Gilgai draft at this year's Inglis Premier Yearling sale.
The Closer is the third winner in Australia and the fifth overall for Dundeel who also has winners in South Africa and New Zealand.
The star of the team to date has been the Group III The Schweppervescence winner Irukandji.
