The brilliance and guile of champion jockey Damien Oliver helped paved the way for Silverstream to return to the winners list in the Ascend Sales Trophies Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Silverstream, trained by Grant and Alana Williams and raced by prominent owner-breeder, Bob Peters, posted her first victory in 399 days after Oliver showcased his skills with a sublime ride.
The Al Maher mare was friendless in betting, starting a $22.80 outsider with stable mate and last-start Jungle Mist (1200m) winner, Cosmic Storm, holding $2.90 favouritism.
Oliver, who scored earlier in the day on Mosseratti, appeared to be in trouble when Silverstream was caught behind horses early in the straight, but he gained a dream inside run.
Silverstream, who posted her first feature win in 19 career starts, hit the front with 50m remaining and kicked clear to defeat stable mate, I’m Feeling Lucky, by a half-length.
Bunbury galloper, Krakka Vision, made a stack of ground to finish a length away in third.
Cosmic Storm, who raced much handier to the lead, finished fifth.
Peters, who extended his dominance in the Jungle Dawn Classic after previous success with Real Charm (2014) and Ideal Image (2015), conceded Silverstream’s win caught him by surprise.
“It’s surprising isn’t it,” Peters said.
“She has been a little disappointing this time in and we know she has ability.
“She ran fourth in a Winterbottom Stakes but has been doing nothing.
“Obviously Damien Oliver may have helped and you put him on a horse and he will improve them lengths.
“I spoke to Grant (Williams) before the race to see what we could do and she comes out to do something like that.
“She will push on and step up in distance.”
Oliver, won his fourth race of the Ascot Masters, said Silverstream defied her recent form.
“I rode her in the Winterbottom last year and she gave me a good feel of a high class mare,” Oliver said.
“I said to Grant (Williams) with the bad draw (12) that I was going to ride her quiet because I know she has the acceleration.
“She spent nothing in the run and had plenty to give.
“As the gaps opened she accelerated really good.”
Julio Santarelli