Horse of the Week: Speak Fondly
Published: 08 Sep 2015
Another dominant win - Speak Fondly salutes the winner's circle yet again
Spring is certainly in the air when Gai Waterhouse salutes in a feature race at headquarters, and she may have unveiled yet another top-line contender.
As the new season three-year-olds prepare for the Golden Rose this week, SPEAK FONDLY has now been thrown in the mix after doing everything right thus far this preparation.
At Randwick on Saturday, the daughter of Northern Meteor pushed off the rails at the top of the straight, then showed her power to draw clear from her rivals in the Group 2 Furious Stakes over 1,200 metres. Although she beat a similar field to what she did first-up, it was the manner in which she did the job that has connections wondering how far she may stretch out in distance.
To quicken when asked is a strong feature in any thoroughbred, making her effort on Saturday worthy of this week's Horse of the Week.
Too easy in the end - Speak Fondly strode away to an easy victory in the Group 2 Furious Stakes
Breeding
Sired by Northern Meteor, from Blab (Sire of Flying Spur)
Type
Three-year-old Chestnut Filly born 09/09/2012. A strong individual with power in a sprinters frame.
Features
Power (Acceleration)
Weaknesses
Can jump slowly
Record
3 wins and 2 placings from 6 starts. Total Prize-money of $365,700
Career Wins
05/9/15 – Group 2 Furious Stakes at Randwick over 1,200 metres – Jockey Kerrin McEvoy
22/8/15 – Group 2 Coolmore Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick over 1,200 metres - Jockey Kerrin McEvoy
14/3/15 - Group 2 Magic Night Stakes at Rosehill over 1,200 metres - Jockey Tommy Berry
Quick Facts
- Her sire's progeny, Northern Meteor, all seem to develop best as three-year-olds
- Jockey Kerrin McEvoy has ridden the filly three times for 2 wins and 1 second, however he will be in Melbourne this weekend when she tackles the Golden Rose. Hong Kong based jockey Brett Prebble has been rumoured to take the ride in the 3yo feature
- The filly backed up into the Golden Slipper after winning the Magic Night Stakes seven days earlier
- Trainer Gai Waterhouse nominated the Group I Flight Stakes over 1,600 metres at Randwick on October 3 as the race she believes Speak Fondly will win
Power and acceleration - Speak Fondly has improved into her three-year-old year