Stakes performer Grand Soleil gained an overdue first victory at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup day.

The Tony Pike-prepared Savabeel mare, who is out of the Group One-performed Gretchen, won the Carlton Events 1600m as she liked under rider Vinnie Colgan.

Grand Soleil looked well above average last season when she finished third in the Gr.2 Royal Stakes (2000m) and runner-up in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight Stakes (1600m). 

Another creditable performance was her run for fifth in the Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic (2000m), five lengths off the subsequent multiple Group One winner Bonneval.