Pendragon mare Miss Gunpowder made the first instalment on her $700,000 purchase price at the recent Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale with a fighting victory in Saturday's $100,000 Listed Makers Mark Hinkler Handicap (1200m) at Doomben.
With a little over half a length covering the first five across the line, it was Miss Gunpowder scoring by a short half-head from Too Good To Refuse with Jimmy Rea (Thewayyouare) a head back in third. (photos Steve Hart).
Ridden by Craig Williams for the Lindsay Park team Miss Gunpowder won the 2015 Group II Thousand Guineas Prelude at Caulfield when trained by Phillip Stokes.
The Group One Tatts Tiara (1350m) at Doomben in a fortnight is on the cards for the 4yo mare who was runner-up in the Group III Proud Miss Stakes at Morphettville at her most recent start.
"She is a multiple black-type
"That race is very tempting and I am sure she will be right up to it.
"She has done well since arriving in Brisbane and I am sure there is improvement still to come."
A $60,000 yearling purchase by Stokes from the Think Big Stud draft at the 2014 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Miss Gunpowder advances her record to 6 wins, 3 seconds and 2 thirds 16 starts with earnings of $380,500.
She was sold a fortnight back for $700,000 to a syndicate headed by Neil Werrett and Steve McCann.
She is the second foal of imported mare Forever Rafter (USA).
A daughter of the Storm Cat stallion Delineator, Forever Rafter is a half-sister to Group I Winter Stakes winner Absolut Glam (Snowland) and Listed Eskimo Stakes winner and Group I Galaxy Stakes runner-up Nobby Snip (Snippetson).
Forever Rafter (USA) was covered by So You Think last spring.
