Native Queen, left, finishes best of all© Photo Healy Racing
Pilbara Gold was all out for the line in the extended seven furlong fillies' and mares' and she was caught in the final strides by 4/7 favourite Native Queen and runner-up Vadiana
The favourite, trained by Joseph O'Brien, certainly had to work for the victory as Pilbara Gold had attempted to make all and was ridden by Billy Lee to keep the gallop up approaching the final furlong.
She looked to have Native Queen in trouble as she still led her by more than a length inside the final furlong.
A combination of Pilbara Gold tying up and Native Queen finding more saw the latter home by half a length from Vadiana (7/1) who flashed home down the outer as Pilbara Gold dropped a short head back to third at 10/1.
Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: “She’s a big mare and Mikey (Sheehy) said she got unbalanced most of the way around. The further she went the better she went and got there on ability more than anything. The second horse looked a bit unlucky.
“He said they went a fair gallop and she’s tough and hardy. She’s won now which is the main thing.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
