The untapped potential of highly-touted filly Nechita is the major reason for jockey Christian Reith’s excitement heading into Saturday’s Silver Shadow Stakes.
Despite Nechita having had just one start, Reith rates the three-year-old as one of the nicest horses he has ridden while John Thompson believes the filly’s raw ability makes her the most exciting prospect he’s had in his three years as a trainer with Patinack Farm.
Nechita has already been crunched in betting for the Group Three Silver Shadow (1200m) with TAB Sportsbet, firming to $1.95 after opening at $2.20 on Wednesday.
“She’s a little professional. Everything we ask of her she does and I think that’s her greatest attribute,” Reith said.
“I expect to see a good filly on Saturday.
“She’s only had one start but I think she’s one of the nicest horses I’ve ridden.
“She’s got a lot of depth about her. We haven’t been to the bottom of her. We really haven’t asked her to put the foot down yet and I think that’s the real exciting part about her.”
Nechita created a big impression when she scored an effortless 3-1/2-length win on debut with Reith aboard at Warwick Farm in June.
The daughter of Fastnet Rock impressed again in her barrier trial win at Randwick early last week which pleased Thompson.
Asked after the trial if Nechita was the most exciting prospect he had trained in his time at Patinack, Thompson gave a definitive “Yes”.
The filly only had a short break after her debut before being prepared for the spring.
“She only had three weeks out and did very well,” Thompson said.
“For only having three weeks out the guys at the farm did a good job because she put on about 20 kilos.”
The Silver Shadow was expected to also feature the classy She’s A Fox but an injury ruled her out of the spring this week.
Despite that, Reith says the Silver Shadow still had great depth among the 10 entries.
“And I think this Princess Series is going to be one of the strongest,” Reith said.
“This is still a hard race and she (Nechita) has got to put her best foot forward, but she’s so professional so I expect her to do that.”
