Trainer John Sadler believes Adele Amour is a Victoria Oaks contender after the daughter of Sebring opened her winning account over 1400m at Sandown-Hillside on Wednesday.
Never a factor in two starts over 1200m at two, Adele Amour kick-started her classic season when leading at every call under Michael Dee.
Keeping up a strong gallop, Adele Amour held the challenge of the favourite Barb Raider (Rebel Raider) by a half-length with El Patroness (Shamus Award) three-quarter of a length back in third.
“I thought she looked the pick of them in the yard, she presented well,” Sadler said.
“She’s a filly I have a good opinion of. I said to Michael that there does not look to be a lot of speed in the race and to go forward. She showed the sought of ability she has been showing us on the track.
“She is really bred to get a good trip, an Oaks distance.
“That was a nice kick-off for her, and she will go to a mile now in about three weeks at Sandown and then the Oaks Trial at Flemington.
“She is well bred, and it was great thrill to sin for Eddie Hirsch and his family.
A homebred, for Eddie Hirsch, Adele Amour is the third winner for the top-class Don Eduardo mare Divine Rebel.
Trained by Mike Moroney, Divine Rebel won six and placed in seven of her 23 starts highlighted by victories in the AJC Chairman's Handicap and Listed Epona Stakes. She finished second in consecutive runnings of the Group 1 Sydney Cup. Behind Ista Kareem in 2009 and Jessicabeel in 2010, which brought the curtain down on her career.
A daughter of the Group 1 Otaki Maori RC WFA Stakes winner It’s My Sin (Success Express), Divine Rebel has a 2yo filly by Hallowed Crown, a yearling colt by Epaulette and revisited Epaulette last spring.
