The Darley stallions have enjoyed an outstanding Spring Carnival, with Street Cry's Shocking taking out the Melbourne Cup followed by Faint Perfume’s win in the VRC Oaks on Thursday to give Shamardal his first G1 winner. Their winning ways continued into the weekend when Commands' four-year-old daughter Purple recorded her third Group victory, winning the G2 Matriarch Stakes at Flemington.
Settled in midfield under Kerrin McEvoy, Purple made her move with 600m left to run and after a thrilling three-way battle between her, Moment In Time and Lady Lynette, finished best to take the 2000m contest by a short head. She will return next weekend to contest the Sandown Classic.
Purple, who won the G1 Storm Queen Stakes and G1 Queensland Oaks last season, is from the winning Zabeel mare Lady Viola and is from the family of multiple G1 winners Sovereign Red and Gurner’s Lane.
Commands has now sired four Black type winners this season including G2 Caulfield Sprint winner First Command and G3 Up And Coming Stakes winner Rarefied.
