Bjorn Baker will let the dust settle before deciding his next move with She’s Ideel after the promising stayer extended her winning streak to three at Randwick.
Stepping up to 2400 metres for the first time in Saturday’s Catanach’s Handicap, She’s Ideel loomed up strongly at the top of the straight but had to fight for the win when seasoned campaigner Dark Pearl went with her.
The $1.75 favourite responded to Jason Collett’s urgings, scoring by a head over the Chris Waller-trained Dark Pearl ($7) with the runner-up’s stablemate Birth Of Venus ($4.60) another 5-3/4 lengths away.
“I know it wasn’t a big margin today but she was always going to be a touch vulnerable at the 2400 metres,” Baker said.
“I think she was good through the line, she is exciting.
“It’s like me, I’m still improving as a trainer and she is still improving as a racehorse.”
The win prompted bookmakers to trim She’s Ideel’s Sydney Cup odds from $51 into $26, although Baker said he was unsure of plans for the mare.
Collett said She’s Ideel did a good job to outclass Dark Pearl and was entitled to get tired late.
“She travelled pretty well for a 2400-metre race, probably too well. I thought it was a very good effort,” Collett said.
