Only two fillies in Saturday's $1,000,000 Group II Tab Percy Sykes Stakes at Randwick were backing up after running in the Golden Slipper, and they fought it out.
The striking Exceed And Excel filly Eneeza had little luck when seventh in the Golden Slipper, and she reversed the decision when defeating the Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot by three-quarters of a length.
Ridden by Damian Lane for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, Eneeza took the short way home. Lady Of Camelot ranged up like she was about to win, but her run may have ended and she was safely held on the line. The Rubick filly Erno's Cube held off the fast-finishing Star Witness filly El Morzillo for third.
The winner of the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes at Caulfield in December, Eneeza advances her record to two wins and two seconds from six starts with earnings of $1,062,250.
"She didn't have a lot of luck in the Slipper from a bad draw, and that was a nice consolation," Peter Moody said.
"She’s probably been luckless this entire prep. She’s a gallant little filly and congratulations to Kia Ora and TF Investments for their patience, basically, after those unlucky runs.
“We probably brought ourselves undone in the Blue Diamond riding her a bit close, but a lovely ride by Damian today and reward for effort.
“If we couldn’t win the big ones we’ll take home a Group Two.
“She’s got an unbelievable attitude. Sarah and the team at Aquis from the day that they had her have done a wonderful job. She’s got an unbelievable attitude towards her workload.
“She’s a natural two-year-old and she’s not going to lose her ability. Can she improve? That is arguable but you’ve got to hope that the immature ones don’t catch up and overtake you - that is the key.
“I’m not a believer in two-year-olds losing form. The immature ones mature and go past you.
“She’s very professional and that will take her a long way going forward.”
Bred by Grant Bloodstock, Eneeza was a $1,100,000 purchase for Kia Ora Stud Pty Ltd/TFI from the Silverdale Farm draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
She is the second foal and first runner for the Group II SAJC Euclase Stakes winner Sweet Sherry.
A $260,000 yearling purchase for Cloud 9 Thoroughbreds, Sweet Sherry’s first two foals have made upwards of $1million with her first foal the unraced Snitzel filly Madeira selling for $1,350,000.
So China Horse Club / Newgate / Go Bloodstock / Trilogy may have found a bargain in Sweet Cherry’s I Am Invincible colt that made $775,000 at the recent Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
A daughter of Bel Esprit, Sweet Sherry is a half-sister to the Group II ATC Sapphire Stakes winner Arinosa (Dash For Cash), and stakes-place getters Onerous and Andaz out of the stakes-placed Amoroso (Revoque).
After foaling a Snitzel filly last spring, Sweet Sherry visited I Am Invincible.
