ESPUMANTI was noted as one to watch when Mike de Kock assessed her recent 1160m Maiden win at Turffontein, and Mary Slack’s filly followed up smartly in a Graduation Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m on turf at the Vaal, Thursday.

A picture on parade, the filly by Dansili came from just off the pace, kicked into top gear late and drew away to win for jockey Raymond Danielson.

Mathew de Kock did the on-course duties this time and he commented: “Well done to Mrs Slack, she has a good eye for a horse. She picks good ones every year. Espumanti did everything right, one must remember that she’s only two-and-a-half years of age, with lots of improvement to come. She’ll be better over further, she was doing her best work late and she’s one that could go on to better things.”

Danielson, who steered her to her debut win too, said: “We got away with it in a weaker field last time and I was a bit worried about 1200m against stronger, but Espumanti did it like a good horse today. She was green, but when she got going she finished far too well for them.”