After making a quick start on the odd-on favourite Exhilarates in Saturday's Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Moonee Valley, Craig Williams elected to stay out of the early speed battle and it proved the winning move.
Cheer Leader and Taraayef set a hot speed up front with the Snitzel filly Exhilarates settling well in a stalking spot.
Roused up before the home turn the Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner disposed of the front-runners then held off the previously undefeated Toronado filly Sassy Salitage by three-quarters of a length with the consistent Epaulette filly St Edward's Crown a short-neck back in third. (images Grant Courtney)
Exhilarates had opened her 3yo campaign with a win in the Group III Quezette Stakes at Caulfield on August 17.
"Everyone is riding their horses to accommodate the way the track is playing," Williams said.
"That's why you found me in front early because there was not much pressure, everyone wants to be stalking than making it all, lucky for me I was on the best horse, she was extremely well placed and weighted to day and she is a little dynamo.
"It will be interesting to see where they go with her. How far they want to go in distance and they have the option of taking the blinkers off if they want her to go further."
Looking for some fresh blood, global powerhouse Godolphin went shopping at the Magic Millions for the first time in 2018 and they came away with eight yearlings.
The equal highest price at $600,000 was Vinery Stud's Snitzel filly who has proved to be a sound investment with a record of 4 wins and 3 seconds from 9 starts with earnings of $1,550,900.
Exhilarates is the first named foal of Samaready whose six wins from 13 starts included the Group 1 MRC Blue Diamond Stakes in 2012 and Group 1 MVRC AJ Moir Stakes the following year.
The daughter of More Than Ready (USA) has a 2yo colt by All Too Hard. After slipping in 2017, Samaready was covered I Am Invincible last spring.
It was a remarkable few minutes for Arrowfield Stud's Snitzel who is on the way to defending the Australian Champion Sire title he has won for the last three seasons after his champion son Redzel disposed of a quality field on sprinters in the Group III Concord Stakes at Randwick.
