The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Ameena ($4.80) has come with a withering burst to claim the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) in a grandstand finish at Randwick on Saturday afternoon.
The daughter of Tassort put the writing on the wall last preparation, contesting some of the best two-year-old races across the nation, including a luckless effort in the Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) before being tipped out for a spell.
She returned on the back of two strong barrier trials heading into Saturday’s $300,000 feature, with James McDonald doing the steering from stall 10.
He no choice but to retreat towards the rear of the field, as the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Chateau Miraval ($21.00) ensured a genuine tempo for the three-year-old fillies, while Kerrin McEvoy was happy to sit outside the leader aboard Silmarillion ($23.00).
All the main market hopefuls were left chasing from the back-half of the field, with Group 1 Sires’ Produce (1400m) winner Manaal ($2.20) the first to mount a challenge turning for home.
The Michael Freedman-trained filly appeared to have them all covered, before Ameena and Erno’s Cube ($12.00) loomed large in the final furlong, with Ameena getting the better of Silmarillion in a photo finish thanks to a James McDonald drive.
2024 Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes Replay – Ameena
It secures the first leg of the Princess Series, with the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) possible targets for the Freedman camp, however, as co-trainer Anthony Freedman spoke post-race, they were simply happy to have her back at the races after spelling in Queensland.
“We took quite a few up to Queensland this year, and worked well for us,” said Freedman.
“The winters are much harder in Melbourne, obviously so we like to get the better ones away. She came here and she presented well today, and there was enough speed for her to finish off.
“She won her first two starts, leading or right on pace, but I’ve never really thought that’s how she would race, so it opens up some options for her.”
James McDonald was impressed with the win as well, suggesting there’s still plenty of scope for improvement.
“She’s improved a lot since last time I rode her,” said McDonald.
“She’s come on immensely.
“She moved well today, she was a nice filly when I rode her so it wasn’t going to take much to improve her, really nice win today.”
After the win on Saturday, Ameena has firmed into $11.00 with horse racing bookmakers for the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) on October 5.
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