Racing in career best form, the Chris Waller-trained Sexy Eyes proved best in a blanket finish to Friday's $160,000 Group III Belle Of The Turf Stakes (1600m).
Given the run of the race by Jay Ford, Sexy Eyes defeated Irithea (Snitzel) by a short-head with Zumbelina (Stratum) a half-neck back in third.
Bred by part-owners Reynella Thoroughbreds, the lightly raced 5yo daughter of Written Tycoon advances her record to 5 winners 4 seconds and 1 third from 13 starts with earnings of $288,720.
"She deserved a stakes win, she's been very honest throughout her career," Ford said.
"She drew well, held our spot, and she always travelled really well. I put her in the race before the bend because I felt it was turning into a bit of a sit and sprint. Initially, the second horse got away from us but slowly and surely she ground away and got her head in front where it counted."
A half-sister to the Listed winner Tina Melina (Jet Spur), Sexy Eyes is the fourth winner from five named foals of the Secret Savings mare Hidden Savings who is also the dam of the 5-time winner Innishbeg (Lonhro) who is the dam of the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate winner Aspect (Pluck) and the Listed winner Brown Ben (Big Brown).
Hidden Savings had not had a foal in the three seasons after Sexy Eyes before her yearling filly by Jet Spur.
Sexy Eyes becomes the 26th stakes-winner for Woodside Park Stud's flagship stallion Written Tycoon who will once again have strong representation at the yearling sales in the new year.
