Charm Stone once again proved her class by taking out the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) first-up at Moonee Valley, adding another feature win to her growing record.

Resuming from a spell after capturing the Sangster Stakes earlier this year, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained mare was given a perfectly timed ride by Blake Shinn on his birthday. Sent out a $31 chance, she surged past Baraqiel ($4.60) to win by two lengths, with Magic Time ($7.50) running on for third.

Trainer Mick Price admitted he had been puzzled by her off-colour effort in Adelaide’s The Goodwood last campaign but said Charm Stone had thrived this preparation. “She’s a mare that needs the edge on her,” Price said. “She’s not a mare I would back up again. This time she’s been perfect.”

Shinn described the victory as “phenomenal,” adding: “She pinged the lids, got the right trail, and once she saw daylight she put the race away. It was a special win on a special day.”

A 10 per cent share in Charm Stone was sold for $310,000 earlier in the week, valuing her at $3.1 million, though Shinn said her worth has now skyrocketed. “You couldn’t put a figure on her broodmare value,” he said.