Star Sledmere Stud sales graduate Dame Giselle commenced her 3-year-old season in the best possible way by landing the coveted Group 2 ATC Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at her first outing since her highly successful juvenile campaign.
Winner of the both the Group 2 Reisling Stakes and $1 million Golden Gift during a distinguished 2-year-old season, the supremely-bred daughter of I Am Invincible firmly established that an exciting Classic season waits ahead by leading from start to finish to record the third win of her seven start career.
Speaking after the victory, winning co-trainer Paul Snowden admitted that the manner of Dame Giselle’s victory came as a surprise to him as he had not expected the filly to settle so close to the pace.
“It wasn’t our intention to sort of be that far forward,” revealed Snowden Jnr. “Obviously, there was a lot of speed drawn inside us. But she jumped as well as she did and Tommy [Berry] had a nice run in front. It’s not her go but she was too good in the end. Class comes to the top.”
Paul Snowden then went on to add: “She has a good campaign in front of her and she’s not screwed right down now. Just that easy section she was afforded mid-race certainly helped.”
The Silver Shadow saw a brilliant front-running ride by Tommy Berry who claimed in a post-race interview that he was basically left with no other option but to lead once Dame Giselle had exited the barriers so cleanly.
“I guess we won it in the first 150m when she jumped so well,” explained Berry. “I was meant to take cover on her but I took advantage of a good start. She got across comfortably and got some cheap sectionals mid-race.”
Berry also gave good reason to believe that the best is still yet to be seen of the dual Pattern Race winning filly.
“She will definitely improve as the distances go on,” predicted Berry. “She is definitely stronger. Last time [in training] she felt more like a sprinter to me when I was riding her. She feels like she will get over further, which will assist her well.”
The Silver Shadow Stakes was the first leg of the prestigious Darley Princess Series. Co-trainer Paul Snowden confirmed that the plan for Dame Giselle is to “follow the Princess Series at this stage,” which next involves the $200,000 Group 2 Darley Furious Stakes (1200m) on 7 September, and then the $200,000 Group 2 Darley Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) on 21 September and $500,000 Group 1 Darley Flight Stakes (1600m) on 5 October.
Bred and co-owned by China Horse Club, Dame Giselle races in the colours of Go Bloodstock Australia and has now won $973,550 in prizemoney.