It took just two starts for Missile Mantra to earn her first stakes win but another 14 starts to add a second, which came in Saturday’s Group III Summoned Stakes (1500m) at Sandown.
Back near the tail of the field on the home turn, the 4yo daughter of Smart Missile came with a well-timed run under John Allen to defeat the stubborn Tricky Gal (Magic Albert) by a short-half-head with My Pendant (Pins) a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Missile Mantra was sent off favourite off the back of a close-up sixth beaten just over a length, in the Group 1 Empire Rose stakes ay Flemington won by Shout The Bar.
Carrying the colours of Triple Crown Syndications, Missile Mantra won her only two starts at two.
Despite being nosed out by Flit in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield, she went winless in seven starts at three.
She has been kept up to the mark with a relatively busy spring. The Summoned Stakes success was her fifth start of the campaign and she had just a third in the Group II Rose of Kingston Stakes at Flemington to show for it.
Co-trainer Peter Snowden said it was nice to be on the right side of a photo finish.
"Three or four times we have been beaten by the same amount and one of them was in a Group 1, so she deserved that and I'm really happy for everyone. It's gut wrenching to get beaten by that much in a big race,” Snowden said.
"Watching it I was really confident. She was travelling really well down the hill. Through the dip I just thought it was a matter of timing it right and he did perfectly.
“I thought the margin was going to be better than it was but, look, I'll take it. Half a head is as good as ten lengths. It's still a win and I'm really glad for all her owners.
“Triple Crown have been fantastic. Every year they keep buying nice horses and they keep training on. We're so grateful to have them in our stable.
Snowden said Missile Mantra had done enough this time in.
“She has done a great job. Three runs in she is usually showing signs of having enough but she's gone really well in the prep. She will go to the paddock now, go out a winner and she's done a great job."
A $30,000 Magic Millions purchase for Triple Crown Syndications from the Arrowfield Stud draft, Missile Mantra advances her record to three wins a second and a third from 16 starts with earnings of $478,100.
Bred by Arrowfield she is the best of two winners from as many to race for Starcraft mare Wecansay Mak a winning full sister to dual Group I winner We Can Say it Now who is the dam of the Group III Prix du Prince d'Orange winner Sky Kingdom (Montjeu).
Purchased by Arrowfield off Wally Mitchell for $50,000 at the 2014 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale, Wecansay Mak has a yearling filly by Dundeel and a filly foal by Snitzel.
