Connections of Najoom will consider paying a late entry fee to run in the $2 million Stradbroke Handicap after the exciting filly’s stunning win in the Fred Best Classic at Doomben.
Najoom, the $2.90 favourite, travelled three wide without cover but sprinted clear of her rivals in the final 200m to win by 3-1/4 lengths.
In winning the Classic, the filly became exempt from the ballot for the Group One Stradbroke (1350m) at Doomben on June 6.
However, the filly was not among the original nominations and owner Nasser Lootah will have to pay a $30,000 late entry fee by Wednesday if she is to run in the race.
“His Excellency will enjoy the moment and then we’ll let the dust settle before we decide if she runs in the Stradbroke,” trainer Gai Waterhouse said.
“She’s the most improved filly I’ve got in training and today she just zoomed didn’t she?”
Adding further merit to the performance of Najoom was her winning time of 1min19.00secs, 0.15secs faster than Boban recorded in winning the Group One Doomben 10,000.
Jockey Tommy Berry described Najoom as a perfect filly to ride.
“I could’ve sat outside the leader if I wanted to but I would’ve had to rush her to get there,” he said.
“She was comfortable where she was racing and when I asked her to go she just put them away in a couple of bounds.
“She’s such an easy horse to ride and the sky’s the limit.”
Najoom ended the day on a positive note for Berry after his Doomben 10,000 mount Our Boy Malachi bled, earning a three-month ban from racing.
