Sent out the favourite following her last start stakes success in the WA St Leger, Impressive Jeuney was able to control the race and cruise to the line two lengths ahead of her nearest rival, Rock My Pago.

Winning trainer Darren McAuliffe felt he'd never saddled up a feature race runner as confident before.

"I was very confident. I couldn't have seen her getting beat after her work on the grass on Tuesday morning."

"I said to Shaun - she'll just be winning - I just couldn't see her being beaten."

"She did the job," McAuliffe said. "It's great."

"She's a high class filly."

The three-year-old daughter of Melbourne Cup winner Jeune will now head for a spell while connections eye off bigger riches interstate in 2010.

"She'll go to the paddock now and we'll have a look for a Group One in Melbourne at some stage."

Purchased by McAuliffe for $27,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale at the Gold Coast from the draft of Newhaven Park Stud, Impressive Jeuney is from Rego's Girl.

A winner at 1400 metres by Rory's Jester, Rego's Girl is a daughter of the Belmont Guineas and Oaks winner Key Target.

Other members of the family include Winterbottom Stakes winner Glory Hunter, Sir Ernest Lee Steere Classic winner Stray Bullet and fellow WA stakes winner Dangervorn.

Meanwhile, there wasn't a dry eye in the mounting yard when classy stayer New Spice bounced back to his best with an emotional win in the ATA Handicap (2200m).

The six-year-old gelding's part owner Malcolm MacDonald passed away on Thursday and in a fitting tribute New Spice was able to break his 600 plus day drought of wins.

Winning rider Peter Knuckey said the son of Old Spice could make his presence felt in the Perth Cup on New Year's Day.

The gelding was purchased by his part owner and trainer Elva Van Merwyk for $18,000 from the draft of Peters Investments at the 2006 Magic Millions Key Farm Dispersal Sale at Belmont.

An unraced two-year-old at the time, New Spice has since won eight races and earned over $389,000.

He has won a listed JC Roberts Stakes, listed Melvista Stakes, listed Northerly Stakes and was fourth in a Group One WA Derby. He also won at Sandown during a Melbourne campaign.

"Elva's done a great job with the horse and all thanks to the track rider Ryan," Knuckey said. "He's been doing a lot of work on these horses, helping Elva out."

"They got me a winner during the week and that paid $50 and this one has paid $24."

"He might not have won since 2007 - but he had shown back then how good he was and hopefully come January 1 he might be right in the mix."

Magic Millions Media Release Published 27/12/09