James McDonald delivers on daring plan to win Red Roses Stakes with Chris Waller filly Amelita at Flemington

James McDonald pulled off a masterful ride on promising filly Amelita to win the Red Roses Stakes at Flemington.

Chris Waller has forecast a bright future for lightly-raced filly Amelita who stormed to victory in the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes (1100m) off the back of a masterful James McDonald ride.

Wearing the Magic Bloodstock silks made famous by Waller’s champion Winx, the three-year-old daughter of Zoustar produced a devastating burst out wide.

Starting at $11 with Ladbrokes, Amelita scored by three-quarters-of-a-length from Vestas ($6.50), with Bridal Waltz ($13) in third place.

Having jumped from barrier one, Waller said McDonald planned to transit wide, believing it was the best place to be – and so it proved.

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“It looks like it could be a little bit better out wider, whether it is wind-related more than anything,” Waller said after the filly scored her second win from five starts.

“He (McDonald) made a beeline straight for it after the jump to get himself set out wider, then had to aim towards a few gaps.

“We drew barrier one on the furthest part of the track and James said to me pre-race, ‘I think it is better out wider and I’m going to try and come across’.

“He did exactly what he said and found his way through. He had the horse under him to take those gaps. There was a bit of buffering with 100 (metres) to go and she was too strong.”

Amelita tracked a wide path from barrier one to win the Red Rose Stakes at Flemington. Picture: Michael Klein

Waller said the filly, who races in part-owner Peter Tighe’s colours, had plenty of scope for improvement in the autumn.

“There was enough confidence to come down here with her and pick up a nice race to up her value and most importantly to give her some confidence,” he said.

“We see her as a nice filly going forward by Zousain who I trained – a son of Zoustar. It is a bit of a family affair. She’s come of age.”

McDonald said his pre-race confidence in the filly came from the recent trials which included some Coolmore Stud Stakes contenders, including the eventual winner Switzerland.

“She trialled in those jumpouts with the Coolmore horses and she went terrific,” he said.

“The writing was on the wall.”

Amelita was a $280,000 purchase from last year’s Gold Coast Magic Millions sales.

Originally published as James McDonald delivers on daring plan to win Red Roses Stakes with Chris Waller filly Amelita at Flemington