Sydney, April 9 – Classy Al Maher filly Speedy Natalie put behind her the disgrace of a buck jumping exhibition at her previous start in Adelaide when she showed her true colours to steam home and win the Group Three AJC Adrian Knox Stakes at Randwick on Saturday in dominant fashion.
The Peter Moody trained filly settled at the rear for Luke Nolen and unleashed a big finish to win the 2000 metre Oaks lead up by three lengths over another up and comer in Status Quo.
“I just don’t know what happened there (Adelaide),” Moody said. “I expected a win like this in Adelaide.”
Speedy Natalie travelled to Sydney early in the week and thrived, prompting punters to send the filly out as a solid second favourite.
“Her fitness was never an issue,” Moody said. “It was just a matter of keeping her head right. She can be fairly fragile. She’s been up here a week and the boys have done a good job.”
Speedy Natalie will now head to the Group One AJC Australian Oaks and jockey Luke Nolen is hoping for further rain to help her cause.
“If there is any precipitation around, then it enhances her chances,” Nolen said. “If we get an inch of rain on and off, I wouldn’t rule her out.
“She’s going to be strong at the end of 2400 (metres) like she was at 2000 (metres) today so bring on Faint Perfume and Valdemoro.”
A $70,000 purchase for Bill Mitchell on behalf of Mr and Mrs Chung from the Yarraman Park draft at the 2008 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Speedy Natalie has won three of eight starts earning $205,555 and is already a stakes-winner having won the Listed SAJC Dequetteville Stakes on debut last July with several of her runs since dogged by bad luck.
A daughter of promising young sire Al Maher, Speedy Natalie is one of four winners from stakes-winning Brocco (USA) mare Speedy Bell, a half-sister to stakes-winner Whoever.
Speedy Bell has no yearling for the sales this year, but had a colt last spring by Fastnet Rock and was then covered by record breaking sprinter Northern Meteor in his first season at stud.
