Two years ago, the Chris Waller-trained mare French Emotion started favourite in the Group II Queen of the South Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville but finished a disappointing 12th.
It was a different story in this year's renewal with Ben Melham bringing the 6yo daughter of Snitzel down the centre of the track to edge out Tahanee (ARG) (Stormy Atlantic) by a head with Shenandoah (Darci Brahma) a head back in third just ahead of the pacesetting Savapinski (Savabeel) who beaten less than half-length in fourth.
"She's a good mare. I was a bit concerned about the track rating today because she is not as effective on slow ground although her form suggests she runs ok on it," Melham said.
"I had a beautiful run, the pace was on, I was able to get out and get into the race at the right time and her class shone through."
The winner of the Group II Blazer Stakes at Flemington back in October 2016, French Emotion advances her record to 8 wins, 9 seconds and 2 thirds from 33 starts with earnings of $886,390.
A homebred for Milford Thoroughbreds Valda Klaric and Ivan Cajkusic, French Emotion is a daughter of the Woodman mare Love and Emotion who is a half-sister to Group I Toorak Handicap winner Shot Of Thunder and Listed winner Celebrity Princess out of the Group 1 AJC Oaks heroine My Brilliant Star.
Love and Emotion was not covered in 2014 and 2015 but last spring she foaled a filly by Choisir before being covered by Astern.
