Essonne produced an outstanding performance to reign supreme in the Listed Silk Stocking over 1400 metres.
The Richard Litt-prepared Reliable Man four-year-old drifted well back in the field at the Sunshine Coast before edging closer across the top for rider Chad Schofield in the Gerry Harvey colours and cut loose with an irresistible finish in the closing 350 metres.
“She's a very talented horse, even though there's not much of her. With a bit of a spell, I think she'll come back even better next prep,” Litt said.
“She's bred to stay, so I think she'll get up to 1800 metres eventually, which would be quite exciting.
“She loved the wide-open spaces here and Chad did a wonderful job with her. He rode her fantastically, and a big thanks to Billy Healey, who has been looking after her for us.”
Essonne is a daughter of the Redoute’s Choice mare Riviere, who is a half-sister to the Group 2 winners and Group 1 performers One World and First Command.
Riviere also has an unraced two-year-old colt by Swiss Ace, produced a Telperion filly last season and is in foal to Tarzino.