There was plenty of pre-race drama at Royal Randwick ahead of the Silver Shadow Stakes 2016 but in the end the hot favourite Omei Sword produced a powerful late finish to salute for the punters.

Omei Sword put in an impressive first-up run to win the 2016 Silver Shadow Stakes for Chris Waller in Sydney. Photo: Steve Hart.

In the gates Godolphin’s known barrier misbehaver Calliope was back to her bad habits, the Magic Night Stakes winner becoming badly cast as the fillies lined-up for the $175,000 Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m).

Caught under the barriers, the John O’Shea-trained filly was eventually freed after a notable delay to the fifth on Warwick Stakes Day.

Calliope escaped without serious injury but was a late scratching from the race along with Rather Sweet who was also withdrawn after getting kicked behind the gates.

Best away in the late jump was the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Thyme For Roses, the returning Redoute’s Choice filly digging up and going forward to lead from the Tony Gollan-trained Zelady’s Night Out.

Race favourite Omei Sword from the star stables of Chris Waller meanwhile was settled around fifth, mid-field in the run with Brenton Avdulla aboard the promising daughter of High Chaparral first-up.

Thyme For Roses led them into the straight with Omei Sword, in her first run since a ninth in the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) back on April 2, starting to lengthen on the outside.

The well-backed top fancy hit the front 200m out from the surprise package in the Silver Shadow, Gary Moore’s last start Canterbury winning Beneteau filly Bacarella who did all the work from the outside alley.

In the end Omei Sword ($2.30) was far too good for her rivals, winning by two lengths from Bacarella ($21) with Peter & Paul Snowden’s Northern Meteor filly Quick Feet ($15) also making up lots of late ground late to run third in the Silver Shadow Stakes trifecta.

“She knows what it’s all about now,” winning trainer Waller, who is gearing up for the race return of Winx later on the card, said of Omei Sword post-win.

“To see her travel up and rise then let down, that’s a sign of a pretty handy filly.”

Omei Sword looks on track for a big Sydney Spring Racing Carnival and could also be Melbourne-bound on October 8 for a shot at the $500,000 Group 1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) over the Caulfield mile.

“I wouldn’t say high expectations, but high hopes is a good way of putting it,” Waller said of how he views Omei Sword.

“This time of year you hope they come back and improve.

“It’s a good start today that’s for sure.”

Avdulla was also suitably impressed with Omei Sword’s return, the hoop having ridden her for a July trial when second to Russian Revolution.

“She’s pretty good,” he said.

“I was very fortunate to get a good opportunity off Chris again.”

Get behind Omei Sword throughout the spring at the right price and check out her updated odds in the 2016 Thousand Guineas online through Ladbrokes.com.au!

2016 Silver Shadow Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Randwick Race 5 – 20/08/2016