The winner of just a maiden at Ballarat in her first 11 starts the transformation of Madam Gangster since switching to Lee and Shannon Hope has been miraculous, highlighted by her maiden stakes success in Saturday’s Group III Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.

A first-up second for the Hopes in a benchmark 64 at Seymour last November, Madam Gangster has reeled off wins at Seymour Flemington and Sandown Lakeside before her stakes breakthrough.

Craig Williams settled the daughter of Al Maher behind leaders Whistle Baby and Nadeem Lass before gaining a saloon passage along the rails. She kept up a strong gallop to defeat Girl Guide by one and three-quarter lengths with Nadeem Lass back in third.

It’s really good to get a bit of black type,” Lee Hope said.

“I gave her two weeks at home and said we’d try to get her ready for last week or this week and it worked out this week.

“We’ve been pretty fortunate to get her and she’s properly educated.”

Madam Gangster advances her overall record to 5 wins and 2 seconds from 16 starts for earnings of $253,105.

The 4yo mare was passed in short of her $25,000 reserve at the 2011 Inglis Great Southern Weanling sale.

She is the eighth foal of the winning Chief’s Crown mare Domino Effect a three-quarter sister to the Group I St James’s Palace Stakes and Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes winner and successful stallion Grand Lodge and a half-sister to Group 1 Canterbury Guineas winner Fine Society (Marscay) and the South African Group II winner and Group 1 placed Silverpoint (Woodman).

Madam Gangster becomes the 25th stakes-winner for Emirate Park Stud’s Al Maher who on this day ten years ago won the Group 1 Australian Guineas for trainer Gai Waterhouse who also trained Saturday’s Australian Cup winner Wandjina.

Mark Smith – Breednet