Oaks Dream Alive for Nimalee

Progressive filly Nimalee (3f So You Think x Dezign, by Zabeel) took another step towards the Group I ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) when scoring a stylish victory over older rivals on the Kensington track at Randwick on Wednesday.

Handled patiently by Matthew Smith, Nimalee won her debut at Canberra on December 27 and has steadily worked through her grades since then claiming her third win from five starts when taking out this Benchmark 70 event over 1800m.

It was her first step out over a longer trip and Nimalee relished the task settling just off the leaders and finding the line well with her last furlong easily her best for Kerrin McEvoy.

A $270,000 Inglis Premier purchase for Randwick Bloodstock from the Millford Thoroughbreds draft, Nimalee runs for Letmar Investments.

Bred by Cressfield, she is certainly bred to be an Oaks contender being a three-quarter sister to Group III placed The Chairman from Dezign, an unraced half-sister by Zabeel to Group II winner Star Fashion from Group II winner and Hong Kong Derby winner Elegant Fashion.

Cressfield will be hoping Nimalee measures up to Black Type races as Dezign produced a colt by So You Think last spring.

So You think is enjoying one of his best ever seasons with seven stakes-winners to date.