Trained by Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra at Flemington, Crystal Lily only got into the field for the world's richest two-year-old when owner David Moodie forked out $150,000 for the late entry fee after her win in the Sweet Embrace Stakes at Randwick on March 13.
Ridden by Hong Kong-based Brett Prebble, Crystal Lily was always handy from her rails barrier draw and made her dash for the cash inside the final 200m of the 1200m feature.
But the filly, a daughter of 2005 Slipper winner Stratum, was erratic in the run to the line and veered out noticeably in the final stages of the race.
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Prebble couldn't do much more than try to steer the filly home and he did, grabbing the $2 million first prize from Decision Time with More Strawberries third.
"I couldn't even ride her out," Prebble said.
"I just had to sit there and keep her straight.
"She's got untapped ability."
Co-trainer Ellerton said the win had yet to sink in.
"It's certainly very exciting," he said.
"She was a bit erratic but it's absolutely fantastic."
Crystal Lily has now won four of her seven starts for prizemoney in excess of $2.2 million.
