Sydney’s leading apprentice steered the Joe Pride-trained mare to victory over favourite Uncommon James in the 1100-metre event and he broke down when describing what it would have meant to his ill father.

“My dad, he’s got cancer, all he wanted to see was me to win a Group 1 and to come out and do it today, it was unreal,” Schiller said.

“It’s the best feeling in the world, to do it on a mare like that. She’s come through the grades really sharply and Joe (Pride) has turned her around but, gee, she’s a good mare.

“I am very grateful to Joe and the connections for putting me on. I can’t believe I won a Group 1.”

The victory atoned for a near-miss aboard Ruthless Dame in the Surround Stakes late last month for the 24-year-old, who sits second behind James Mcdonald on the Sydney jockeys’ premiership with 46 wins for the season.

Mariamia ($10) continued a remarkable rise to prominence when she scooted home along the inside to take the lead midway down the straight and hold off Uncommon James ($3.50 fav) by one length. Cannonball ($18) was half-a-length away third.

The six-year-old daughter of Toronado had her first 28 starts for Pakenham trainer Shane Stockdale, winning four times, and has won four of nine since joining Pride in autumn last year.

It was the third win from four starts this campaign, having won the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) in late January.

“We specialise in taking these horses on that maybe need a little bit of rejuvenating, getting the right people around them and I just relish the task of taking on a horse who maybe someone else has given up on,” Pride said.

The Warwick Farm trainer was thrilled to be the one to provide Schiller with his milestone win.

“He rode more winners for me last season than anyone else and to be able to give him a reward like that, it’ll be pretty special for him, and it’s certainly special for us.”

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