
Grand Bouquet as a yearling
Having her second start and first run back from a spell following a fourth on debut at Wyong in March, Grand Bouquet was allowed to settle at the rear from a wide draw by Glyn Schofield and steamed home down the outside.
She arrived on the line to post a nose win over another promising staying type in Roman Emperor filly Holy Empress, who was also ultra impressive on debut.
Grand Bouquet is a half-sister to stakes-placed Snowdrop and is the second winner from triple Group I winner Daffodil, who won the Group I ATC Australian Oaks among her eight victories.
Oaks races this season are sure to be on the agenda for the winner and the runner-up Holy Empress, who was bred by the late Bart Cummings and is from the family of his Australian Horse of the Year Saintly.