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Lilac Blooms at Randwick with Breakthrough Group Win

Quality Justify (USA) filly Lilac finally broke through for a deserved stakes victory this autumn, claiming the $250,000 Group III ATC James HB Carr Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday. Trained by Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald, Lilac had already secured a listed win in Melbourne last spring and had been ultra-consistent this preparation, including a strong fourth-place finish behind Lady Shenandoah in the Group I ATC Surround Stakes. Given an ideal ride from gate one by James McDonald, Lilac made the most of her inside draw, sprinting clear in the straight before holding off a late challenge from More Territories to win by a long neck. "She's always been a bit of a bridesmaid, picking up a lot of seconds, thirds, and fourths. Although already a listed winner, it’s so rewarding to see her get that Group win, especially for such a fantastic group of owners," said Annabel Neasham. "I’d be interested to hear what James (McDonald) thinks, but I’ve always felt 1400m might be her upper limit. That said, she relaxed beautifully today, and it was a top-class ride." Following a highly productive three-year-old campaign, Lilac is expected to head for a well-earned spell. She now boasts three wins and three placings from nine starts, with career earnings pushing past $370,000. "That was always the plan. She’s had a fairly busy prep, and although she’s not the biggest filly in terms of holding condition, she actually looked the best she has all campaign today," Neasham added. "We'll discuss it with the owners, but there's plenty of excitement ahead for her as a four-year-old." A $300,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase by Champion Thoroughbreds and Annabel Neasham Racing from the Curraghmore draft, Lilac races in the Champion Thoroughbreds colours with a large ownership group, including Coolmore, who bred and raised her at their Australian base.