Jasmine Rouge produced a stunning chase to win the Group 3 Thoroughbred Australian Club Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, nailing winner Tobeornottobe straight to the line.

Trained by Clinton McDonald, the Dundeel daughter was at her best in the 1000m at Geelong on her debut but was completely undesirable with punters moving up to 1200m and G3 level at a $38 chance.

He didn’t look to be in the best of shape in the run-up, three pairs behind, but as Tobeornottobe got ready for the task, gaps began to open and Ben Melham set to work.

The consistent Griffiths-De Kock runner looked home for all the money but her three-wide run ran late and Jasmin Rouge jumped the final distance, stepping up her gears impressively and arriving just in time.

Jasmin Rouge charges home to win the Thoroughbred Club Of Australia Stakes at great cost! @BMelham pic.twitter.com/kqA1NY9UGO

— Racing.com (@Racing) 16 November 2024

“I was actually a little shocked. We expected him to run well and finish well, but he’s still a novice and he’s still learning and he’s very resilient to do that,” stable representative Ali Kennedy-McDonald said.

“We wanted to ride him quietly like in his trials, we thought he would finish much better when he came back. Ben rode over the fence for luck and it was a great ride.”

Melham wasn’t keen on Jasmin Rouge’s chances of coming along, but the support of McDonald and partner Jamie Kah (who was on the filly on debut) persuaded her to make the journey.

“It was Clinton’s idea to run the division and Jamie was adamant she would run well. “They were right because I wasn’t that sure,” he said.

“I’m happy to be wrong in this case. She’s a really nice filly. She’s always shown good talent on her home turf and she’s still a long way from the finished product.

“Coming here as a young girl and winning in her second start with the advantage she had was great.”