Pure Elation has justified her favouritism with a smart win in the Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
The daughter of I Am Invincible pushed subsequent Golden Slipper winner Estijaab in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes on March 10th, before posting a much need and confidence boosting maiden win in a mid-week race at Warwick Farm a fortnight ago.
Jumping from the gates well this afternoon, jockey Michael Walker elected to settle his mount within the Percy Sykes Stakes field and allowed Kara’s Hope, Sister Sledge and Setsuna to dictate the early terms on-pace.
Having enjoyed a carefree run across the back straight, Walker produced the filly with 300m to travel and was greeted with a big turn of foot at Pure Elation easily put away her rivals; finding the line more than a length clear of Fiesta and Outback Barbie.
Walker delivered a perfectly-timed ride aboard Pure Elation to win the Percy Sykes Stakes and was thrilled with the feel offered up by the two-year-old.
“I’ve always had a really good opinion of her and so have Peter & Paul (Snowden),” Walker said after winning.
“They’ve done a tremeandous job to keep her up for so long and I think she’s earned a well-deserved break.
“She’s the real deal, I’m telling you. She always goes with her head up, but she was just too strong today and she was beautiful.”
A race like the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) may prove to be an ideal target for Pure Elation when she resumes in the forthcoming 2018 Spring Carnival.