Papillon Club looked to be the best horse in the race when the fields came out on Wednesday and she proved it on the racetrack, running away with an arrogant 2.5 length victory in the Group 3 Alexandra Strakes.
Tim Clark picked up the ride on Papillon Club, and was the beneficiary of Blaike McDougall's bad luck as McDougall was sent to hospital earlier in the day after being involved in a fall at Geelong on Friday afternoon.
Even though the odds-on favourite with online bookmakers had to jump from the outside barrier and do a little bit of work to find the outside of the leader, Tass, Clark didn't worry as he let his filly find her feet and travel to the home bend under a vice-like grip.
As the field rounded the home turn, the daughter of Toronado took control of the race and quickly put it to bed with a burst of acceleration that saw her put up two lengths on the slowing leader, before Clark put the whip away and rode her out hands and heels to record a very soft 2.5 length win.
After some back-to-back unlucky runs in the Group 3 Vanity Stakes and Group 2 Kewney, Papillon Club deserved a Group victory and she got exactly that on Friday night.
2023 Alexandra Stakes Replay – Papillon Club
Greg Eurell brought up his 31st Group level victory as a trainer with Papillon Club's win on Friday night, and he spoke post-race.
“It was a good effort,” Eurell said.
“She was very, very fit and that is one thing we knew we had in our favour and if it was going to be dished up to her tonight that was certainly on her side.
“She's a tough filly, she's had a big campaign and she'll go straight to the paddock tomorrow.
“She'll hopefully have about eight weeks off and then head towards the spring.
“I think last start was nearly going to be the end of her campaign but she came out of it so well that we thought we'd have another go and she's built up.
“Her work was so consistently good leading into this and we just thought it would be fitting if she could win a decent race and she's done that.”
Tim Clark brought up his first winner on William Reid Stakes Night at Moonee Valley on Papillon Club and he spoke post-race about the win, while he also sent out his condolences to Blaike McDougall.
“Obviously condolences to Blaike. Hopefully he has a speedy recovery,” Clark said.
“I thought the win had a fair bit of merit to it because she had to work early to get a position and then build pressure early as well.
“She worked at both ends but she was really strong for me all the way to the line and Greg filled me with a lot of confidence before the race how well she is going and how fit she was.
“She obviously looked to have the class edge on her rivals but she definitely went out there and dealt with it.”