The Peter Moody-trained Sigh has continued her impressive preparation when claiming the Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield under Carleen Hefel.
Having been scratched from the Listed Vic Sprint Series final at Flemington last week, the four-year-old mare relished the extra week between runs to claim her first black-type success at start nine.
There was speed aplenty with Malkovich initially leading the field up, before Katsu took on the classy sprinter for the lead and tried to run away approaching the home turn.
As a majority of the field opted to head for the middle of the track, Carleen Hefel and Sigh ($7) stuck closer towards the rail and booted to the lead with 250m to go.
Mileva ($8.50), who claim the 2022 edition of the race emerged from the pack and loomed as a serious threat to Sigh with 100m to go.
However, Hefel managed to get every bit of effort out of Sigh to go on to claim her first Group 3 as a jockey in a tight finish, with General Beau ($7) a length away in third.
2023 Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes Replay – Sigh
Katherine Coleman was on hand post-race for the Moody barn and the assistant trainer spoke glowing about the progressive mare.
“There’s more to her than just this race as well,” Coleman said after revealing how patient the stable had been with the now Group 3 winner.
“It was an easy decision (to scratch from the Vic Sprint Series final), being a Group 3, it does look better on her pedigree.
“The track today was more suitable for her.”
Following a big embrace from Coleman, there was no hiding the excitement by Hefel when speaking following one of her career highlights to date.
“It’s amazing, it’s very special,” Hefel said.
“He’s got the faith, so you have just got to trust that,” she said when asked about riding in a Group 3 race for a big stable like Peter Moody’s.
“Gate one was not great today, but we knew they were all going to come off the rails.
“She kicked a lot better today, and I knew she was home from there.”
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