Popular mare Miracles Of Life has returned to racing in the best way possible this afternoon, comfortably beating a talented field to the line in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Royal Randwick.

Miracles Of Life mustered an impressive late sprint to win the Group 2 Challenge Stakes this afternoon. Photo: Steve Hart

Jumping from the gates well, leading hoop Hugh Bowman settled the Not A Single Doubt mare within the nine and allowed early leaders Nuclear Class, Rain Affair and Va Pensiero to set a fair tempo over the back straight and approaching the bend.

Arriving on the final straight with plenty to do, Miracles Of Life appeared to be blocked for a run but pushed wide and exploded late; hitting the front of the field with 150m to run and extending to win by more than two lengths; Va Pensiero and a luckless Rubick claiming the minors.

Co-trainer Peter Snowden was confident of a competitive performance from Miracles Of Life in the 2015 Challenge Stakes, and revealed the result has gone a long way to life spirits after stable star Shooting To Win failed to fire in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas earlier on the card.

“It was a super ride. Was in the perfect spot and she’s so gallant and tries so hard,” Snowden said.

“She keeps turning up and so, so honest and consistent and this day is all about her today.

“When Hughie pulled out and gave her a bit of a squeeze I thought oh gee, they’ll quicken again and when I saw the favourite (Rubick) getting held up on the corner I thought at the furlong when it gets out it’s going to explode, but she went straight on by him.

“She was dominant and arrogant and god bless her.”

Jockey Hugh Bowman dealt the Snowden stable a huge blow when winning the Randwick Guineas aboard Hallowed Crown, but was all too pleased to deliver the Sydney-based duo success in the Challenge Stakes with Miracles Of Life.

“She’s a beautiful mare and we were very confident first-up at Caulfield last prep and they just didn’t have the pace across her,” Bowman said.

“Today was always going to be a fast-run 1000m race and that gave her the opportunity fresh to just sit back off them.

“She’s been going really nicely at home and she’s a credit to the Snowden training partnership for the way they’ve presented her this afternoon.”

2015 Challenge Stakes Results