Promising filly Nakeeka Jane could back up next week in the Randwick Guineas after scoring a last stride win in the Group 1 $500,000 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick today.
Nakeeta Jane, above in green and purple colours, swoops down the outside to win the 2019 Surround Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Winning jockey Josh Parr had to settle Nakeeta Jane in the second half of the field and was pushed wide on the home turn before exploding in the straight to gain the judge’s nod in a close four horse finish in the Group 1 for the fillies.
Nakeeta Jane was sent out as the $3.60 favourite but it took the whole length of the straight for her backers to be given the green light to line up to collect after she was awarded a nose victory over the consistent Fundamentalist ($14) who held on bravely after setting the pace.
The Kris Lees trained El Dorado Dreaming ($19) was also strong at the finish to claim third spot just in front of Mizzy ($17) with less than half a length covering the first four placegetters.
The lightly race Nakeeta Jane has only been to the races five times and today’s win was her third and trainer Mark Newnham is seriously thinking of backing the So You Think filly up next week and taking on the colts and geldings in the Group 1 $1m Mostyn Copper Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick.
“I haven’t actually ruled out backing her up next week in the Randwick Guineas. Looking at the Australian Guineas today there wouldn’t be many back up from that. Won’t be a full field here, it’s not an easy assignment taking on The Autumn Sun but will be a good lead up for her into the Vinery at 2000 three weeks later,” Newnham said.
“Just see how she pulls up but being a G1 winner over 1400m when her best distance is still to come is exciting stuff. She’ll come here if she’s in the right order.”
“When she got run off on the home turn. Then she kept extending and extending on the line. It was fantastic.”
“She is very special. To do what she has done in that number of starts she is top class.”
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