Take nothing away from the debut win of Exceed and Excel filly Cristobal but the performance of second placegetter Miss Fabulass had to be seen to be believed in the 2YOF Maiden Handicap at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Cristobal stalked theGai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Terminology in the run, taking over and drawing away inside the final 100 metres.
Miss Fabulass, a beautifully-bred filly by European superstar Frankel out of Australian Group I winner Samantha Miss, came from last, spotting the leader Terminology a conservative 15 lengths at the 600m, making up many lengths in the straight while also having to change course.
"She's pretty bloody good I think," Miss Fabulass's trainerKris Leessaid. "She'd shown me plenty at home but you always like to see them do it race day and she didn't disappoint.
"From that gate that's how we had to ride because she's still learning, she's a bit highly strung.
"If she comes home and does well out of that run we'll probably got to the Magic Night and then all going well we'll look at races like the Sires and the Champagne.
"If she got a ticket for the Slipper, that's something we'll discuss post Magic Night.
"In saying that she'll want to pull up well to go on because we're well aware that she's a three-year-old in waiting."
Cristobal ($8), ridden byTye Angland, defeated Miss Fabulass ($6) by a short-neck with the same margin back to Terminology in third ($2.15 fav).
"She's done a great job," Cristobal's trainerJames Cummingstold Sky Racing.
"Tye got her into a good position and she's got a lot of improvement in her dare I say.
"She's shown good ability right the way through and if she can improve on that, I think she's going to be a pretty classy filly."
Sportsbet firmed Miss Fabulass's Sires' Produce Stakes quote from $26 into $8.50 third favouritism following the race.
The winner Cristobal is the first winner for Group III placed Lonhro mare Status Quo, a half-sister to Group II winner Marching from the family of Group I winners Crawl and Trapeze Artist.
