Nimalee wins Golden Pendant, Epsom on the agenda
Nimalee displayed she has the toughness to back up and contest next Saturday’s Epsom Handicap after winning by under a half-head in the Golden Pendant at Rosehill.
The six-year-old showed her ticker late on the straight to stay in front of Palaisipan after Chris Munce’s five-year-old gave her a stern challenge.
Winning trainer Matthew Smith said his mare had the required physical and mental characteristics to back up and contest the Epsom Handicap over 1600m on October 1.
“We’ll have a think about it and see how she pulls up, but it’s definitely on the cards,” he told Sky Racing.
“She’s a big, strong mare and she’s a strong eater.
“If she was to come through the race OK we’d definitely think about it.”
Smith said four trials over the past four months helped Nimalee develop the toughness she displayed on Saturday.
“Geez, she was tough today. She’s taken a couple of runs to get fit this time in. I had to put a couple of extra trials into her as well,” he said.
“So it was good to see her tough it out at the finish. She didn’t have any favours and she was strong late.
“It was a super effort.
“She’s a beauty. I’d like a few more like her.”
Jockey Regan Bayliss said Nimalee responded when he asked her to move across on the straight after starting from barrier 15.
“We were able to slide across without exerting too much energy. We pushed forward and crossed Mirra Vision,” he said.
“As soon as I got outside Expat she came back to me and relaxed beautifully.
“She was in for a dogfight today, and she’s a top-class mare.
“Hopefully she pulls up well, and she’s a mighty good chance in the Epsom next week.”