The McDonald’s Armidale Romantic Dream two-year-old Plate over 1000 metres is usually held in Tamworth, but track upgrades saw the prestigious race moved to Armidale.

It was Jenny and Melinda Graham who stole the show, with the Port Macquarie trainer-jockey combination teaming up to win the Romantic Dream with Miss Armajardan [$2.60]. Pat Farrell’s Alliterate [$10] was all the rage in the lead up to the race after its half-sister Alart won the listed Reginald Allen Quality at Rosehill on Saturday.

Money dried up for Alliterate at the track and on the tote yesterday as it all flowed for Miss Armajardan, who was extremely well-supported.

After screaming out of the gate, Melinda Graham gave Miss Armajardan a stellar ride.

The two-year-old filly led for much of the back stretch before being headed by eventual runner-up Get The Drift [$8] at the 600 metre mark.

Graham let Miss Armajardan settle second before swinging the filly to the outside of Get The Drift at the top of the turn.

Miss Armajardan hit the lead 100 metres from home and eased up for a brilliant three-and-a-half-length victory.

Get The Drift, for Anthony Honess, finished second, two-lengths in front of Todd Willan Akasaki [$7].

Alliterate finished 10-lengths eighth, beating only two of the 10-horse field home.

For a roundup of the other seven races from yesterday’s eight-race meeting at the Armidale Jockey Club see Friday’s Express.