A skilful ride by leading jockey Hugh Bowman saw Jade Marauder slice through the field to take out the Group 3 $125,000 Les Johnson Memorial Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) at Randwick today.

Bowman had no choice but ride Jade Marauder quietly after the filly missed the start but was able to weave her through the field in the straight to claim the leaders over the last fifty metres.

The Gai Waterhouse Kuchinskaya ($3.60 fav) set a fast pace but had enough at the 400m with stable mate Valerio challenging and fighting hard to the line but couldn’t hold of the late finish of Jade Marauder.

Bowman was full of praise for the Fastnet Rock filly who started $3.70 second favourite and is looking forward to the Group 1 $3.5m AAMI Golden Slipper  (1200m) at Rosehill on April 7.

“What she did today was sprint very well and she was more tractable when I did let go today,” Bowman said.

“I think she deserves her chance in the Golden Slipper but I think she will be a better filly in the Spring.”

Premier trainer Chris Waller will have to sought out the filly’s barrier manners leading up to the Golden Slipper but was impressed with the way she went to the line.

Waller said her style of racing of getting back in the field will suit her going into the Slipper with a hot pace always guaranteed.

“Well obviously we will have to sought her barrier manners out before the Slipper in three weeks time,” Waller said.

“But certainly she’s got the ability to be running in these races. It certainly was a great win and I think she is a pretty smart filly.”

“Apart from the start she is bomb proof racehorse. Last start she jumped very well and we rode her back so maybe  she’s got into a habit of doing that.”