No Nay Never Filly Into You Targets Australasian Oaks

Mark Smith - Wednesday February 28

We were impressed when Into You broke her maiden over 1400m at Ballarat on February 14 and even more so when the daughter of No Nay Never staged a last-to-first performance in the Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives (Bm64) (1600m) at Sandown Hillside on Wednesday.

As easy as it looks (image George Sal/Racing Photos)

Ridden by Alana Kelly for Shay Keating, Into You stood the odds-on favourite Et Tu Brute, a big start in the middle stages.

Switched to the centre of the track on straightening, Into You blasted past her five opponents so quickly that Keating feared she had got there too soon.

Not a moment worry though as the 3-year-old daughter of No Nay Never (USA) put three and three-quarter lengths on the runner-up Zakouma (Crowded House), with Harley'n'rose (Holler) edging Et Tu Brute (Dundeel) for third.

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A troubled third on debut over at 1300m at Sandown Hillside, Into You, has been dominant at her last two starts, and Shay Keating reiterated that the Austrasian Oaks over 2000m at Morphettville on April 27 is the target.

"The bar keeps rising as she leans more; she is just a big baby at the moment, Keating said.

"I liked the way Alana rode her. I left it up to her, snagging her back and letting her settle. She got there at the furlong, and I was a bit worried, as she is such a baby, to be left in front so soon.

"I said, after Ballarat, I was keen to go to Adelaide for the 2000m Oaks. I am happy to step them up if they have the ability, but their minds have to go with it. I don't want to throw her in the deep end and lose her confidence.

"She does not take a lot of work. She is a light-framed filly. It's more about holding her together."

Bred by Woodpark Stud, Into You was a $9,500 yearling purchase on Inglis Digital.

Into You a $9,500 Inglis Didgital yearling

She is the third winner from four to race for the unraced Elusive Quality (USA) mare Reeltop (USA), a half-sister to Gr 1 Hollywood Derby winner Seek Again (Speightstown), Gr III winner Treble Gig (Gone West), and Listed winner Scottish Gig (Speightstown).

After foaling a Victor Ludorum (GB) filly last spring, Reeltop (USA) visited Exceedance.

No Nay Never (image Mark Smith)

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Race Result - Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives (Bm64) 1600m

Sandown-Hillside Track: Good(4) Time: 1:37.85
1
Into You
- 3f No Nay Never (USA) x Reeltop (USA) (Quality Road (USA))
Tnr: Shay Keating Rdr: Alana Kelly 57
2
3.8
Zakouma
- 3g Crowded House (GB) x Dar Es Salaam (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Pat Carey & Harris Walker Rdr: Ethan Brown 57.5
3
5
Harley'n'rose
- 3g Holler (AUS) x Zaraya Rose (AUS) (Hawk Wing (USA))
Tnr: G Richards & D Moyle Rdr: B Shinn 58.5
4
5.1
Et Tu Brute
- 3g Dundeel (NZ) x Caesar's Princess (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Damian Lane 59.5
5
11.1
Border Visage
- 3g National Defense (GB) x Gris Dame (NZ) (Reliable Man (GB))
Tnr: P Kearney Rdr: Logan McNeil 57
6
14.9
Storm Watch
- 3c Savabeel (AUS) x Smart Thinking (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: John Allen 59.5
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