Hawkesbury, February 26 – Torryburn Stud bred Joyful Journey, a lightly raced well-bred filly entered for the Group I ATC Australian Oaks, cast off maiden status at Hawkesbury on Thursday for Team Hawkes.

A daughter of high class Darley shuttler Shamardal (USA), Joyful Journey carried the Vinery Stud colours to a head victory in the 1300 metre maiden as favourite.

A touch slow to begin from a wide gate, she was allowed to find her feet by Tommy Berry and gradually hit top gear down the running with her last furlong easily her best.

Resuming from a spell following two good runs for a fourth and a second in smart company in her first preparation, Joyful Journey is entered for several major races at The Championships so is well worth following.

A $340,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Torryburn Stud draft, Joyful Journey is a half-sister to stakes-winner Landing and is the fourth winner from Group III winning Flying Spur mare Joy of Flight, whose two year-old filly by Bernardini (USA), Almashooqa won easily in South Africa on debut last week.

Joy of Flight has a yearling colt by More Than Ready (USA), a filly foal by Street Cry (IRE) and was covered by So You Think last spring.