Long Face Grace wins for Pacific Bloodstock

"Just as well she had a long face" was the catch cry of the day when stable runner Long Face Grace prevailed in the tightest of photo finishes at Sandown on Wednesday breaking her maiden status in spectacular style.

In a hard fought finish Long Face Grace got the proverbial bob in to deny Nakataan, who had motored home from the rear, by a short half head; but not before she had overcome Deadly Shadow who had stubbornly refused to relinquish the lead and was eventually third beaten a half length.

View race result and watch a replay here

The spirited performance belied the four-year-old's relative inexperience and was just reward for a group of patient owners brought together by Mark Hoare via his syndication company Pacific Bloodstock.

Long Face Grace was purchased by Pacific Bloodstock at the 2013 Gold Coast Magic Millions yearling sale for $70,000 and entrusted to Mark Kavanagh who at the time trained another member of the family in the champion filly Atlantic Jewel.

By Wild Rain's sire Manhattan Rain, Long Face Grace is out of the Flying Spur mare Retract, herself a half-sister to Regard, the dam of Atlantic Jewel and Commanding Jewel.