Traditionally known as the Frances Tressady Stakes, this year's edition of the Tony Bourke Memorial has been taken out in back-to-back year's by the Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr)-trained Annivisto.
It was a front-running demolition job by the returning five-year-old who missed the spring after failing in the Tatts Tiara in Brisbane on June 25.
With just one jump out in the lead up, punters were still confident last year's winner could make it back-to-back wins and she obliged in brilliant fashion to score in scorching time as well.
She started an even money favourite and ran to her price accordingly as Jamie Kah pinged the lids, and despite being pressured by the in-form Wrote To Arataki, was able to find the rail and drop her rival turning for home.
Jamie Kah and Annivisto left them all chasing and proved far too good against the girls in Melbourne as Wrote To Arataki stuck on well for second, while Excelida was clearly the best of the closers.
All the pressure in the race and Annivisto has stopped the clock in an impressive time of 1:21:59 and looks better than ever this preparation.
2023 Tony Bourke Memorial Replay – Annavisto
It's full steam ahead to the Coolmore Classic in Sydney three weeks from now according to trainer Michael Kent (Jnr) who spoke briefly post-race.
“She does run above herself fresh,” said Kent (Jnr)
“We were hoping the leader would do that, naughty boy there (Wrote To Arataki) pushing her. So hopefully she's not flat second-up.
“We're going to a Group 1 in three weeks-time (Coolmore Classic) but wrapped for all the owners.”
Jamie Kah rode Annivisto in last year's edition of this race and was delighted with the performance of one of her favourite mares on return and according to her is going even better than last year.
“Bigger and better,” exclaimed Jamie Kah.
“I was quite kind on her in her trial and she doesn't do anything by halves, so today she really had to be strong and she had to be good and she was.
“She got a little bit of pressure early and she doesn't really cope with that. She likes to overdo it and she wasn't going steady so that's full credit to her.
“She's come back bigger, better and stronger.”
“She's quicker, she's faster. She's just a big strong mare now she's furnished.