Group One winner Nakeeta Jane is set to spearhead trainer Mark Newnham’s assault on the Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill.
Newnham plans to have three runners in Saturday’s 2000m Group One Vinery Stud Stakes for fillies, with Nakeeta Jane joined in the entries by last-start Kembla Grange Classic third placegetter Scarlet Dream and VRC Oaks runner-up Greysful Glamour.
Nakeeta Jane has won the Group Two Light Fingers Stakes and Group One Surround Stakes this campaign and finished third behind The Autumn Sun and Fundamentalist in the Group One Randwick Guineas.
She steps to 2000m for the first time and on current form Newham rates her the No. 1 seed of his trio for Saturday.
“I’m happy with the way they are all going,” Newnham said.
“Nakeeta Jane naturally has the Group One form on the board and everything indicates she will enjoy getting up in trip.
“She pulled up well after a tough run in the Randwick Guineas and Josh Parr came and rode her this morning and was really happy with her work.
“She worked on the course proper at Warwick Farm, the ground was heavy and he seemed to think she got through it well. So wet or dry, I wouldn’t have too many concerns.”
The Vinery has 19 nominations with a field limit of 14 plus four emergencies.
Nakeeta Jane was on the third line of early betting at $6 in an all-in market behind Verry Elleegant ($3.50) and Pohutukawa ($5) while Scarlet Dream was at $8 but 15th in the ballot.
“Scarlet Dream is a really progressive filly,” Newnham said.
“When she won those couple of races last preparation, I had this in mind and said she was a good staying filly.
“My first thoughts were to probably go to the Adrian Knox Stakes but she ran really well the other day. She wasn’t too far off Pohutukawa and I just thought she deserved her chance.
“She will relish the 2000 and she handles wet or dry.
“She will be the one who will probably be more advantaged at 2400 metres.”
Newnham believes Greysful Glamour did not appreciate being cluttered up last start when 10th in the Kembla Grange Classic.
“She will be ridden more aggressively on Saturday with an intention to lead and I’m sure that will see her a lot better off,” he said.
All three hold nominations for the ATC Australian Oaks for fillies and the Australian Derby, and Newnham said he would probably run one of them in the Derby against the colts and geldings.
