Making her first start since a career-defining win in the Golden Slipper, She Will Reign looked to have the job ahead with just three behind her when turning for home in Friday nights $500,000 Group I Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
The daughter of Manhattan Rain was switched to the centre of the track by Kerrin McEvoy to mount her challenge.
So quick was she finishing, She Will Reign looked all set for an easy victory but Joe Bowditch was weaving a passage on the South Australian visitor Viddora.
The two passed the post locked together.
Much to the relief of the ATC, the Everest contender got the verdict by half a short-half-head with early leader Shiedel hanging on for third a further three-quarters of a length back. (photo Grant Courtney)
Winning trainer Gary Portelli thought he had been beaten and was never confident in the run.
"Early on I thought let's just save her for the Everest and make sure there's something left in a couple of week's time," Portelli admitted.
"But he gave her a kick up at the 600m and she went up in that gear we know she's got.
"I didn't think she won. From where I was standing we had run second. She knows how to win. Another Group I against her name and the Everest is going to be a nice race in a fortnight's time.
The Lloyd Kennewell-trained Viddora came close to giving Yarraman Park Stud's I Am Invincible a notable stakes treble on the night after
Winning rider Kerrin McEvoy also said it looked bleak early on.
"She stood fine in the gates but she jumped up in the air and I was well out of the ground where I thought I'd be," McEvoy said.
"They did run along but not much has been making up ground tonight so must admit I was a fair bit worried when they passed the half-way mark.
"It's tough for them to do it at three against the WFA horses and I was never really handling the corner she was wobbling out and I had to come widest but full credit to Gary and his team, she let go with a solid furlong and a half finish."
Bred by Garry
The daughter of Manhattan Rain advances her record to 5 wins and I second from 6 starts with earnings of $2,859,150.
She is the first
Courgette is a daughter of the unraced Marscay mare Our Farm Girl a sister to Listed Gimcrack Stakes winner Millie and a half-sister to Listed Winter Cup winner Touch Of Sun (Snippets) out of the Group II Reisling Slipper winner and Group 1 AJC Oaks runner-up Sunshine Sally (Cheraw).
Courgette has a 2yo filly by Shamus Award and a yearling colt by Time For War.
She was bred back to Time For War last spring.
A Group 1 winning half-brother by Encosta de Lago to three-time Champion Sire Redoute's Choice, Manhattan Rain moved to Blue Gum Farm in 2017 after beginning his career at Arrowfield Stud.
