Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou’s stakes prospect breaks through on return from injury for a much-anticipated victory at Newcastle on Wednesday.

Prior to a nasty injury last year that saw her reside in the Warwick Farm hospital for six weeks, four-year-old mare Adulting was touted as a stakes prospect by her trainers Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou.

Having her first start in what was just shy of a year away from the racetrack, the daughter of Contributer jumped on terms from her inside draw, before jockey Josh Parr parked the mare two pairs back on the rails when settling.

Travelling in a similar spot throughout, it was when entering the straight that Parr decided to make a move and begin to ask for more from his mount.

Popping her off the fence, Parr promptly positioned the mare into clear running and she began to move through her gears accordingly.

Ranging up at the 200m, the four-year-old strode on by approaching the 100m and kicked away nicely over the concluding stages to win softly by just under two lengths.

Thrilled to see back racing, co-trainer Gerald Ryan was pleased with his mare’s efforts but believes there is plenty of scope for improvement, suggesting she will be better when stepping out further in distance.

“(She) looked good. She didn’t travel, whether it was the ground or not knowing but she didn’t seem to travel in the run.” Ryan said.

“Prior to that (injury), I thought she could’ve been a stakes filly over the mile – perhaps a mile and a quarter.

“She’s been a long process and the owners have been good to stick by her because she’s had her problems.

“It’s good to see her come back.”

Sharing a similar sentiment to Ryan, Parr was delighted was delighted with the filly’s win but believes her maturity does not quite match up to her physical attributes.

“She’s done a really good job to win, she’s a nice filly,” Parr said.

“I asked her to be close, just to eliminate bad luck and any bias on the track.

“She didn’t (travel well). She wasn’t happy in any point of that race.

“I didn’t get the chance to grab the bit and travel – I think (it was) a combination of the giving ground and possibly the seven-furlong speed.

“I think she will stretch that bit further and when she matures mentally, physically she’s definitely there.”

In what was a promising debut, Matthew Smith’s three-year-old filly Ellenmac announced herself onto the racing scene by swooping late to knock off the favourites in the Fillies & Mares Maiden Handicap.