The lightly raced Shumookh will be aimed at the Group One Myer Classic after breaking through for a first stakes win in the Golden Pendant at Rosehill.
Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Shumookh won the first of her seven starts in January and added her second win in Saturday’s Group Two race over 1400m.
While she had a comfortable time early in the race, Shumookh ($6) was challenged by equal favourite Champagne Cuddles ($5) in the final 100m.
But under hard riding from Tim Clark she managed to have her nose in front on the line to win by the shortest possible margin.
“I just loved the way she dug deep and came again,” Waterhouse said.
“As they used to say about Dad’s horses, all bone and muscle.
“Tim understands our horses. He puts the hard yakka in, he really does. He just gets them on the speed and doesn’t waste a penny.
“She was terrific. You look for those horses that can dig deep and she’s been a very honest filly, and she’s just showed she’s made the quantum leap.
“She’ll have a great spring and will head towards the Myer Classic because there’s not a lot left for the fillies and mares in Sydney.”
The Myer Classic (1600m) is at Flemington on November 3.
Clark said Shumookh had been headed by Champagne Cuddles biut showed her tenacity to fight back.
“She’s very tough, she really deserved that win,” Clark said.
“The second filly got at least a lip if not a head in front of me and then the last three strides she came again.
“The Myer Classic looks like and ideal target.”
JustHorseRacing.com.au