The Group Two Matriarch Stakes ended in a heart stopping photo finish with Peter Snowden?s Purple beating the opposition by half a head.

The dual Group One winner was restricted for room during the 2000m race however she managed to pick up the pace coming into the straight to take the lead in the final 80m.

Silvercitymiss led the field for the majority of the race however at the 300m mark Lady Lynette joined the five year old followed by Moment In Time which surged down the outside to hit the front with a furlong to go.

In the last 80m, Purple pushed up between the two leaders and rode in strong to the line to finish in 2 minutes, 1.05 seconds.

Although her wins in the Queensland Oaks and the Vinery Stud Stakes were both on wet ground, the four year old proved her ability to race on a good track during Saturday?s set weights and penalties race.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy thought he had the race at the furlong however started to worry as horses came at him from all angles, luckily Purple ?just stuck her neck out at the right time?.

Originally tempted to enter the mare in the Group One Myer Classic, Snowden decided to focus on the Matriarch Stakes instead so that the mare could slowly build up her racing ability.

As her sixth win out of 16 career starts, Purple has now earned $870,000 in her racing career and is likely to be seen in next Saturday?s Sandown Classic.