Dame draws first blood in Princess Series
Ranked among Peter and Paul Snowden’s better juveniles, Dame Giselle has shown she can continue that trend at three with a brave win in the Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick.
In a sensation before the race, favourite See You Soon was again in a belligerent mood and had to be scratched at the barriers when she refused to load.
There were no such dramas for Dame Giselle, who pinged the gates and took up the running to control the 1200m feature throughout.
Jockey Tommy Berry said he didn’t intend to lead but was happy to let her bowl once she began so cleanly.
“When she jumped so well I just took advantage of the good start and it is a lot easier to win from in front when you get a nice time of it,” Berry said.
Dame Giselle captured the Group Two Reisling Stakes as a two-year-old and wasn’t disgraced in the Golden Slipper, finishing midfield.
The Silver Shadow Stakes is the first leg of the four-race Princess Series and Dame Giselle will follow that trail with the Furious Stakes over the same course and distance on September 5 her next target.
That race will herald a clash with stablemate Stellar Pauline, who resumed earlier this week to break her maiden with a stylish victory at Hawkesbury.
“She has always been one of our top quality fillies, along with Stellar Pauline,” co-trainer Paul Snowden said of Dame Giselle.
“It’s a relief when they return as three-year-olds and win.
“It is good to see them train on after tough two-year-old seasons.
“They will probably clash again next start and we’ll see where they go after that.”
Dame Giselle ($3.60 fav) scored by a long head over Thermosphere ($17) with Miss Canada ($26) grabbing third another 1-3/4 lengths away.