Estijaab has dug deep in the final stages of the Randwick straight to win the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) this afternoon.
The daughter of Snitzel was sent off a $1.40 shot in our Reisling Stakes market this afternoon and did he chance of justifying the quote no harm when jumping well and immediately taking up the running, ahead of Sister Sledge and Ennis Hill.
Offered a clear line upon arriving at the final straight, jockey Brenton Avdulla allowed the filly to go through her gears and for a moment, it looked as though she would run away with the race.
She didn’t appear to be quite as potent as she was two weeks ago when running a close second to Golden Slipper favourite Sunlight in the Group 2 Silver Slipper, but she did enough to hold off a late challenge from Pure Elation and Sister Sledge.
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes was pleased with Estijaab’s win and confirmed that the Golden Slipper will figure as her major target in a fortnight.
“She jumped out of the barriers, Brenton took control and you only have to just win, so she’s done that,” Hawkes said after the race.
“In saying that, she’s run really good times so it was a really good win.
“She came around the corner and she had a bit of a look, and they were just loping along, but the thing with this girl is you push the go button and she really wants to attack the line.
“They came at her late, but in saying that how quick can you go when you’re running 1.9 and running quick time like she’s done.
“Today wasn’t really about how far, it was just about winning and that’s what we’ve done. Everything is great, as long as she pulls up well it’s two weeks away (2018 Golden Slipper). She’ll take benefit again, she looks really good in the coat and she’s definitively improved.”
Avdulla delivered a smart performance aboard Estijaab to win the Reisling Stakes
“I was happy with her,”
“It’s a bit of a funny day, there’s a bit of wind around and she pinged the lids and I just decided to ride her like she was a good horse and I was positive with her.
“From the 700m she was sort of floating and was just waiting for me to give her the go-ahead and even when Schoey (Glyn Schofield, Sister Sledge) joined me, she just sort of wobbled a bit.
“She sort of felt them get around her, she levelled out and her best hundred was the final 100m.
“After today I think she’ll travel better with a bunny in front of her. Upside I thoguth she looked heavier today so obviously John and the team have just got her ready to peak in two weeks’ time and I’m sure she’s going to be a live chance.”
Estijaab is the $7.50 third-favourite in our early 2018 Golden Slipper market.