Godolphin's well-supported Amercement did not have the speed to take advantage of her inside barrier in Saturday's Group III Widden Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens but the daughter of Lonhro scythed through the field under Brenton Avdulla to make the perfect start to this preparation.
A troubled fourth at her career debut in the Group III Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick back on August 29, Amercement was last in the early stages. Avdulla found a trouble-free passage in the straight, beating Rotator to a run, which proved the difference at the finish.
The Not A Single Doubt first-starter Rotator charged home in the closing stages to fall a half-head short with the Sizzling filly Blazing Miss a half-neck back in third after looking the winner at the 200 metres.
Winning trainer James Cummings said Amercement (image Steve Hart) had taken a great deal of improvement from her Gimcrack run.
"Things didn't go quite to plan in the Gimcrack. She got knocked over at the start and had a lot to do," Cummings said.
"She had a lot to do again today but with a bit of strength on her side, she just savaged the line.
"She's a pretty exciting filly and while she is still doing a few things wrong if she keeps improving and be a little more switched on when the races get harder.
""She definitely gives the impression that once she steps up to six furlongs she will be a little bit more comfortable."
Amercement is the second foal and second winner out of the Group II-placed Commands mare Forfeiture whose dam Academy Awards (Royal Academy) is a half-sister to Listed winner Star Attraction (Woodman) and the 4-time winner Laetitia the dam of Group III winner and dual Group 1 placed Stryker (Fastnet Rock).
Darley Stud sold Forfeiture to Kingstar Farm for $50,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
She has a Flying Artie filly foal last spring but was not covered.
With four winners from six starters, Lonhro is enjoying a good season with his two-year-olds, which include the unbeaten fillies Athiri and Pin Sec.
Amercement becomes the 80th stakes-winner for Lonhro who covered his largest book in six years with 117 mares heading to Darley where he covered at a fee of $55,000.
