Following the victory of Yulong's Via Sistina in the Group 1 Winx Stakes, Kimochi sported the bottle green, white checked sleeves for the first time in Saturday's Group III James Squire Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Rosehill, where she made her first repayment on the $2,200,000 purchase price at the 2024 Inglis Chairman's Sale.
So often, the bridesmaid, the Gary Portelli daughter of Brave Smash (JPN), rallied under Jason Collett to defeat Godolphin's I Am Invincible mare Commemorative by a neck with the Zoustar mare Mumbai Muse a nose back in third.
The winner of the Group II Light Fingers Stakes, Kimoch boasts top-level placings in the Thousand Guineas, Flight Stakes and Coolmore Classic.
At her first trip to the sales, Kimochi made $21,000 to the bid of Hall of Fame Bloodstock from the Valiant Stud draft at the 2021 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale.
The 4-year-old daughter of Brave Smash advances her record to three wins, five seconds, and four thirds from 14 starts with earnings of $1,149,900.
"Fantastic start to her preparation and a great win for Yulong," Gary Portelli said.
"Commiserations to her previous owner, Leo To, who bought her in the first place, but she did a great job for him. I'm sure he's got mixed emotions at home watching the race, but he's got some nice horses coming through himself.
"It's great to be associated with Yulong with such a good mare. I've said that she would improve off whatever she did today and off whatever she's done before because she's never had a decent spell.
"She's been racing nearly forever, and this is the first time she's come in with a good two or three months under her belt.
"She's been amongst these horses every time she's raced. So today was her day, and she did a great job. She had no luck at all, three deep no cover the trip and still did the job, so she's a pretty good mare.
"I'm pushing for an Everest slot, she'll get better with racing. Every trainer wants to have a runner in the Everest. We are a long way from there, but you can dream."
Bred by Aquis, Kimochi is a half-sister to the Listed Singapore Derby third Hole in One (Spieth) from unraced I Am Invincible mare Summer Fun, a sister to Group III placed Real Charisma from Group I VRC Oaks third Summerbliss (Danehill Dancer).
Kia Ora Stud purchased Summer Fun for $80,000 at the 2022 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale and foaled a colt by Farnan this week.
Brave Smash (JPN) stands at Yarraman Park Stud for $33,000.
