Stakes double

On the final day of the Sydney Autumn Carnival, Lilac and Bois D’argent delivered front-running Group 3 victories to round out the program in style.

The $2 million The Invitation (1400m) appeared a target for Lilac after she capped a consistent campaign with victory in the James HB Carr Stakes (1400m) for three-year-old fillies.

Lilac ($3.60) had finished top four in her three group-level fillies races this time in without a win, but broke through with a front-running ride from James McDonald on Saturday.

The daughter of Justify, already a listed winner in Melbourne, beat the fast-finishing More Territories by a long neck and will likely go for a spell before returning for spring targets.

“It was so deserved, she’s been brilliant all preparation, there and thereabouts, running great races,” Neasham said.

“I thought she ran a gallant race two weeks ago and we were keen to end the prep on this run, and we were just happy we could get James on. He rated her perfectly, cuddled her to the top of the rise and she was very tough late.”

She said the Invitation, a mares and fillies race at Randwick on October, was among many options for Lilac in the spring.

Eight-year-old Bois D’argent then repeated the dose two races later, leading all the way to win the JRA Plate (2000m) by two and third lengths under Ethan Brown. Hezashocka and New Endeavour filled the minors.

“He’s a beautiful horse, but I don’t think he’s won since the Doomben Cup last year,” Neasham said of Bois D’argent.

“Last prep, he didn’t come up at all, so we abandoned ship and put him away, and he’s come up really well. His first-up run behind Pride Of Jenni was quite big. I thought he ran OK last start, he was just a bit fresh in the run, but today I thought Ethan rode him beautifully, rated him perfectly.”

Brown later claimed the group 1 All Aged Stakes with Ciaron Maher-trained Jimmysstar.

Neasham said a Doomben Cup defence was on the cards for Bois D’Argent.

“Whether we go straight there, or go via the Hollindale, we’ll just see how he is, but Queensland is certainly on the radar,” she said.