The Group 1 Oakleigh Plate is in the sights of the big-hearted Booker after the three-year-old daughter of Written Tycoon defied all challengers in Saturday's Group III Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Ridden by Dwane Dunn for trainers Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra, Booker led at every call to defeat Leather 'N' Lace (Street Cry) by one and a half lengths with See Me Exceed (Sebring) one length further back in third. (photos Grant Courtney )
Racing for the first time since finishing unplaced in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas over 1600m last October after winning the Group II Thousand Guineas Prelude at her previous start, Booker advanced her record to 3 wins, 2 seconds and 1 third from 7 starts with earnings of $393,750.
"Today was a terrific win and the Oakleigh Plate is the aim," Ellerton said.
"She should get in with no weight, the problem will be getting a run.
"Dwayne (Dunn) was able to control the race from the front today and she cornered terrific.
"She's strengthened from the spring and is an impressive filly now, she's like a colt."
A $230,000 purchase by part-owner Barry Griffith from the Mill Park Stud draft at the 2016 Inglis Premier Yearling sale, Booker is the first foal of the winning Flying Spur mare Noondie who is a half-sister to Listed winner Tranquillity out of the Belmont Guineas winner Creatrix (Umatilla) who is a three-quarter sister to 2-time Group I Toorak Handicap winner Umrum and to the dam of multiple Group II winner Tan Tat Delago (Encosta de Lago).
Noondie has a 2yo colt by Helmet and a yearling colt by Written Tycoon. She foaled a Starspangledbanner colt on August 13 and was bred back to Written Tycoon's Golden Slipper-winning son Capitalist.
