The judge found a wafer-thin margin in favour of Sparkling Blue who made a stunning return at Kilmore on Saturday.
After being slow from the gates, the six-year-old mare shot forward along the rails to settle midfield before unleashing a strong home straight finale to land the MC Security 0-58 Hcp (1200m).
Sparkling Blue needed every centimetre of the race distance as she was not in front until she crossed the line with many on course convinced Soho Princess had held on.
The daughter of resident Woodside Park sire Foxwedge has won four races but hadn’t saluted since June 2023.
Trainer Vincent Malady said a solid trial last month at Bendigo where she finished a close second to multiple Group One-placed The Astrologist confirmed Sparkling Blue was on track for a big first-up run.
Ridden by Craig Atkinson, she was backed from $14 to $10 and her official winning margin over Soho Princess ($14) was 0.02 lengths, with Ima Guru ($26) a length away third.
Sparkling Blue races in Hirsch Racing’s black and gold colours and her return to the winner’s circle has been a credit to the team at Tylden.