Progressive So You Think filly Nimalee took another step towards the Group I ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) when scoring another stylish victory over older rivals on the Kensington track at Randwick on Wednesday.
Handled patiently by Matthew Smith, Nimalee has been quietly working her way through the grades and stepped up to a Benchmark 74 for this 1800 metre assignment.
She settled just behind the leaders for Kerrin McEvoy and was strong to the line to beat her older rivals by a short neck going away.
Nimalee has built a tidy record of four wins and a second from just six starts with prizemoney topping $117,000.
“Since her last win two weeks ago she’s just been thriving and looking forward to her work,” said Smith.
“She’ll go to the Adrian Knox (G3 over 2000m) next and then hopefully on to the Oaks.”
A $270,000 Inglis Premier purchase for Randwick Bloodstock from the Millford Thoroughbreds draft, Nimalee runs for Letmar Investments.
Bred by Cressfield, she is certainly bred to be an Oaks contender being a three-quarter sister to Group III placed The Chairman from Dezign, an unraced half-sister by Zabeel to Group II winner Star Fashion from Group II winner and Hong Kong Derby winner Elegant Fashion.
Cressfield will be hoping Nimalee measures up to Black Type races as Dezign produced a colt by So You Think last spring and is now in foal to The Autumn Sun.
So You Think is enjoying one of his best ever seasons with eight stakes-winners to date.
Oaks Goal for So You Think Filly
Visit the profile page for So You Think
So You Think in upcoming sales:
So You Think in upcoming sales:
6 lots at Inglis Classic Yearling Sale
1 lot at MM Perth Yearling Sale
16 lots at Inglis Premier Yearling Sale
4 lots at MM Gold Coast March Yearling Sale
2 lots at MM Adelaide Yearling Sale
10 lots at Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Advertisment
Race Result - Sky Racing Active (Bm74) 1800m
Randwick-Kensington Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:50.88
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: K Mc Evoy 55.5
Seller: Cressfield, Scone
Buyer: Matthew Smith Racing
Tnr: Jason & Lucy Attard Rdr: J R Collett 55
Tnr: David Payne Rdr: N Rawiller 61.5
Tnr: A J Cummings Rdr: Jean Van Overmeire 53
Tnr: E & L Longmire Rdr: T Marquand 55.5
Tnr: Ms K Waugh Rdr: S Clipperton 57.5
Tnr: R J Quinton Rdr: C Reith 54
Tnr: B F Cavanough Rdr: J Ford 53
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 60.5
Tnr: E & L Longmire Rdr: R Dolan 54
More Reading...
G1 Australian Guineas Aim for Flying Artie Colt
Flying Artie always looked to have a strong three year-old crop to run for him this season and leading the charge is talented colt Sixties, who is his highest priced yearling ever sold and comes from a family very much on the up.
Torryburn Stud Out To Continue Outstanding Classic Success
As the highest prizemoney earning Australian-bred still in training, six-time G1 winner Voyage Bubble is a graduate of the Inglis Classic yearling sale, having topped the 2020 sale when knocked down to Hong Kong trainer Ricky Yiu for $380,000m when offered by the Cornish’s Torryburn Stud. In 2026, the team presents a quaility draft of seven yearlings, four fillies and three colts.
Sires With Winners - Saturday January 31
Here is the full list of 103 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding To Win - 2026 G3 ATC Widden Stakes
The Group III ATC Widden Stakes (1100m) has drawn a field of 10 lovely fillies and none have won a race so we are relying on potential and pedigree to find the winner.
Second Stakes Win for Exciting Playing God Filly
Adam Durrant won the Listed WA Breeders Classic back in 2020 with his good gelding Money Matters, and the leading trainer notched up another victory in the 1200m southwest feature - the richest provincial race for 3YOs in the state - with gifted filly Playin’it Sweet (Playing God) scoring a determined win.
Widden Stakes - A Race Rich in History
2YO racing in Australia was not always the popular slice of the racing spectrum that it is today.
Ciaron Maher Stayer Ready for G3 Wellington Cup
Expat Australian hoop Matt Cartwright is looking forward to teaming up with his old boss at Trentham on Saturday when he rides Interpretation in the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m).
Sires With Winners - Sunday February 1
Here is the full list of 53 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Oaks Plan for Ocean Park Filly
A long-range plan for Crimson Sky continues to gain momentum and another encouraging performance at Trentham will confirm a crack at the end goal of the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m).
Black Type for Home Affairs Blueblood Filly
The Group III MRC Chairman’s Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on Saturday for colts and fillies produced a dominant winner in Big Sky with blueblood filly La Gitana a gallant third on debut.