Emerging stayer She’s Ideel can help fill a void left in the Bjorn Baker stable which is missing two of its stars.
Group One winner Samadoubt is on the injured list while the outstanding Champagne Cuddles has been retired after suffering an injury in a race on Magic Millions day at the Gold Coast.
She’s Ideel has yet to be tested in stakes company but signalled with her win over 2000 metres at Randwick on Saturday, that may not be too far away.
Ridden by Rachel King, the mare was the well-supported $2.60 favourite and despite looking to be in a spot of trouble, she unleashed an unchallenged finishing burst to beat Costello ($6.50) by 1-1/2 lengths.
“I don’t know what we’ll do with her just yet,” Baker said.
“It’s very exciting. She didn’t show a whole heap early, I thought we were in big trouble,.
“But the further she gets, the better she gets.
“She’s not the most friendly in the stable but we love her for other reasons. She’s got a real good engine and of course the Dundeels are flying.”
Her sire (It’s A) Dundeel was trained by Baker’s father Murray to win six Group One races up to the 2400m of the Australian Derby but her mother Ana’s Mail was a short-course sprinter winning three races over 900 and 1000m.
Baker believes She’s Ideel can get up to 3200m.
“I haven’t had a stayer of her ability for a while, a real two miler,” he said.
“I think that’s where her future lies. It’s just how we’re going to get there and what we’re going to do.”
King said the mare had given plenty when she got clear air in the straight.
“I was following horses that were going nowhere,” she said.
“At the furlong, she found another gear and just took off again and she was strong through the line.
“Only two starts ago she was running around at Muswellbrook so she’s done a good job to keep stepping up and stepping up in trip as well.”
