Connections of Prima Bella have been rewarded for an ambitious strategy after the in-form mare secured two notable victories to claim the Toy Show Quality at Randwick.

Trainer Matthew Smith opted to step up to Group 3 company, following the six-year-old’s successive benchmark wins at Flemington and Randwick, uncertain if the move would prove too ambitious.

However, Prima Bella ($5.50) rose to the challenge, racing just off the speed and battling on gamely in the straight to secure a narrow victory by a long head from Stardom ($16). Flight Stakes winner Apocalyptic ($2.50 fav) finished strongly for third, a further three-quarters of a length adrift. Those tracking the best horse racing betting sites observed Prima Bella defying the short-priced favourite.

Smith commended jockey Kerrin McEvoy for his proactive ride on the winner, highlighting how the mare capitalised on a significant weight advantage over Group 1 performers Apocalyptic and Savvy Hallie, who finished last and was the race’s disappointment.

“Kerrin took the initiative and took luck out of it,” McEvoy said.

“You just had to make it run so the better horses were vulnerable with the weight. That’s how you had to run it, and Kerrin rode it beautifully.”

This was Prima Bella’s sixth start in a campaign that commenced in May, though Smith has strategically incorporated brief spells in the paddock and intends to maintain this approach.

While he has not yet reviewed the racing calendar beyond Saturday’s Toy Show Quality (1100m), he is eager for the mare to continue racing while in such good form.

“No. That was it. I didn’t go any further. This was her grand final so it’s bloody great it has worked out,” Smith said.

“She will go up to the farm on Monday, she’ll be out in a paddock and work on a sand track up there for a week like she did this time. Nothing special, just keep her ticking over.

“Until she puts her flag up and says, I’ve had enough, we’ll keep going.”

Nash Rawiller commented that Savvy Hallie lacked her typical tenacity and suggested there might be a valid reason for her substandard performance.

“Just concerning she was the first horse beaten,” Rawiller said.

“The first thing that came to my mind was that it might be atrial fibrillation.”

Tommy Berry advised punters not to dismiss Apocalyptic, explaining that the fast pace set by the on-pace runners made it exceedingly difficult for those trailing to make up ground.

“They ran home in 33.7 (seconds) so it is very hard to catch them when they’re doing that. She’s done a good job,” Berry said.

For the latest racing odds, check out Australian betting sites.