In the first real test for the new season’s three-year-old fillies, Fiesta has set the benchmark in the Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick.

The Chris Waller-trained Fiesta, raced by a Star Thoroughbreds syndicate, won the Group Three Widden Stakes in February before finishing second to subsequent Group One winner Seabrook in the Sweet Embrace Stakes.

After a seventh in the Golden Slipper, Fiesta ended her campaign with another Group Two second in the Percy Sykes Stakes.

“She is a really good filly,” Waller said.

“We asked a bit of her as a two-year-old which is obviously important in Sydney racing.

“It’s important to do well at the two-year-old level but also to come back and do it at three.”

In Saturday’s Group Two Silver Shadow (1200m), Fiesta raced without the blinkers employed in her two-year-old campaign.

The $5.50 chance came from midfield to beat Outback Barbie ($3.90) by a neck with Futooh ($7.50) another long neck third.

Waller said Fiesta would continue through the four-race Princess Series which culminates in the Group One Flight Stakes (1600m).

“We took the blinkers off with a view to the longer races,” Waller said.

“There are nice races to get her out to a mile eventually at her fourth-up run without the blinkers.”

Kerrin McEvoy has ridden the filly to her past five of seven starts and noticed the difference.

“She’s grown up a lot. She is more developed and has strengthened up,” he said.

“Mentally she has grown up a bit too.

“It was important to make use of the inside draw. I had first run on them and was full of running when I asked her.

Triple Group One placegetter Oohood, the $3.10 favourite, is now a million-dollar maiden with her fifth prize money taking her to the milestone.

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au