The testing conditions at Randwick proved ideal for the Gerald Ryan-trained Samantha who opened her stakes account in Saturday's Listed Fireball Stakes (1100m).
It proved some compensation for owner-breeder George Altomonte whose Golden Slipper hopeful Menari was beaten out of a place in the Todman Stakes.
A 3-year-old daughter of Snitzel, Samantha won consecutive races at Canterbury and Randwick before being beaten into eighth place in the Light Fingers Stakes at her most recent start.
Ridden for the first time by Corey Brown, Samantha ($8 - $6.50) settle back in the field before overpowering the Les Bridge-trained
"Here the other day in the Light Fingers she dwelt at the start," Ryan said.
"She boxed on really good until about the furlong and I watched the replay a couple of times and thought we might try and ride her with a sit, let her get back a little bit."
Ryan said the $200,000 Group III PJ Bell Stakes (1200m) on day one of The Championships is the likely target
"She's as good a wet tracker as I've seen at home," Ryan said. "She just ploughs through the ground."
Bred by Altomonte's Corumbene Stud, Samantha was consigned by Element Hill to the 2015 Magic Millions National Yearling sale but returned home when failing to make her $60,000 reserve.
She is the third foal of the Tale Of The Cat (USA) mare
Last year she had Hinchinbrook filly born in September and was back to More Than Ready (USA).
Samantha becomes the 53rd stakes winner for Snitzel that have accumulated 100 stakes wins.
