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
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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
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
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