Stepped up to 1600 metres for her last start in the Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes, the daughter of Reward for Effort over-raced badly in front before compounding to finish last, so found the drop back to 1200 metres for this assignment much more to her liking.
The Brendan McCarthy trained filly found the front for Blake Shinn and gave a
good kick off the home turn to repel all challengers and win by a long neck
over Tarcoola Spirit with the favourite Demerara in third."She did a great job as she did it at both ends from start to finish," said Blake Shinn.
"I rode her with confidence as I knew she'd be tough coming back from the mile."
Retained to race by her breeders Innisfree Thoroughbreds, Blondie has won three of seven starts earning nearly $180,000 in prizemoney and is the fourth winner from four to race from former speedy General Nediym mare Divine Princess, a half-sister to Group III winner Commanding Hope.
Divine Princess has a yearling filly by Artie Schiller (USA) and has foaled this spring producing a colt by Toronado (IRE).
Blondie is the seventh stakes-winner for Reward for Effort, who continues to do a great job at Chatswood Stud where he stands at a fee of $16,500.
