At her most recent start, Spanish Reef defeated Samovare by three-quarters of a length in the Group III Matron Stakes at Flemington but she left her old foe well and truly in her wake in Friday night's Group II Sunline Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Ridden by Mark Zahra, the Ken Keys-trained mare sat outside of the pacesetting Life On the Wire before dropping the Tasmanian off coming around the home turn.
Keeping up a relentless gallop, Spanish Reef defeated Samovare (Savabeel) by two and three-quarter lengths with Flying Jess (Hinchinbrook) a further one and three-quarter lengths back in third. (photo Grant Courtney ).
With her third consecutive win, the 4yo daughter of Lope de Vega advances her overall record to 5 wins, 4 seconds and 1 third from 13 starts with earnings of $420,200.
"Kenny has done a great job with her. Before the first race, I rode her in he said I think she can get black-type this prep and she has been flying, just airborne.," Zahra said.
She's got a good racing style. She puts herself on speed, relaxes when she's there, then steps it up from a fair way out so it makes life a lot easier for me.
Ken Keys indicated Spanish Reef will be sent to Sydney.
"Watching her improve with maturity has been something special," Keys said.
"In the winter of last year, I was embarrassed about how she looked at Flemington.
Keys said if the mare was to win a Group 1 he may pull up stumps and hand the reins to his daughter, Casey.
"She is pretty keen to take over, I'm nearly getting pushed," Keys joked.
"She's worked hard for 20 years, no-one sees that and it's time they did.
"We will get there (by going into partnership) then I will drift off into the sunset."
Bred by Patinack Farm, Spanish Reef was purchased as a yearling by Keys for just $12,500 at the 2014 Patinack Dispersal.
He is the first foal of the unraced Lemon Drop Kid mare Lemon Reef (USA) who is a daughter of the Grade III winner Storm Dream (Catrail) who was third in the Group 1 One Thousand Guineas at Newmarket.
Sold to Willcox Bloodstock for $18,000 at the 2016 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, Lemon Reef (USA) was exported after being covered by Olympic Glory (IRE) in 2015.
Spanish Reef is one of 35 stakes-winners for French Derby winner Lope de Vega (IRE) shuttled to Patinack Farm for four years (2011-14).
The son of Shamardal is one of the leading sires in Europe.
