Clear punters’ pick Indarra has justified her resounding favouritism at Sandown this afternoon; breaking through for a maiden race win in the Listed City Of Great Dandenong Stakes (1400m) by a head.

Indarra stamped herself as a serious 2016 Autumn Carnival filly with success at Sandown this afternoon. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Indarra was allocated the central barrier 7 for the City Of Greater Dandenong Stakes (1400m) earlier this week and was allowed to stride forward by jockey Mark Zahra after jumping well; settling in prime position on the heels of early leaders Russian Empress and Change Sister.

Offered a clear racing line upon rounding onto the final straight, Zahra allowed the filly ample time to balance before asking for an extra effort; Indarra immediately responding and locking in a fierce sprint battle with Godolphin runner Antelucan before pulling ahead in the final 100m

Zahra’s perfectly-timed ride aboard the daughter of Stravinsky played a big role in her subsequent victory this afternoon, and the hoop was thrilled with the feel offered up by the three-year-old in transit.

“It was a good win,” Zahra said.

“I was sort of three wide and I had cover in parts but I just wanted to make sure she had clear running and momentum, and that’s what we had.

“I think the further she goes, the better she’ll get.”

Trainer Robert Smerdon is confident Indarra will develop into a serious Oaks filly during the 2016 Autumn Carnival and was understandably thrilled she was able to post a maiden win in the City Of Greater Dandenong Stakes this afternoon.

“First-up at the Valley as a two-year-old she got home from back and ran third,” Smerdon said after the race.

“Her pedigree and the DNA testing we use, we’ve got her down as a 2000m horse.

“She had an abscess in her mouth and it just put us back weeks and weeks and we were hoping to give her a crack at the better fillies’ races and get her out over a trip and it didn’t happen.

“She’ll go to the paddock and in the autumn we’re stretch her out and see how far she can get. Pretty confident she’ll get over 2000m and hopefully she’ll get an Oaks trip.

“She didn’t quite get the one-off position but she had cover where she was. Big track with sweeping turns was always going to suit her.

“She got the result, she’s a black type winner, she can go to the paddock and we’ll look at the autumn.”

In taking out the 2015 City Of Greater Dandenong Stakes, Indarra has now posted an impressive one win and three minors through only four career starts.

2015 City Of Greater Dandenong Stakes Results