Pride of Dubai Mares Quinella $150,000 Country Oaks
An Irish bred daughter of Pride of Dubai, Deny Knowledge (Ire) (5m Pride of Dubai x The Paris Shrug, by Manduro) showed some serious staying potential when stepping out in trip to score a commanding 10 length win in the $150,000 Geelong Country Oaks (2200m) on Good Friday.
Trained by Mick Kent, Deny Knowledge won two races in the UK before coming to Australia and won the Group III Belle of the Turf stakes at Gosford in December.
Competitive in several Group races this year, she was a last start third in the Group II MVRC Sunline Stakes and ran right up to that form, thrashing her rivals here to lead all the way for Damian Lane and win untouched over another imported Pride of Dubai mare in Supagirl (IRE).
"She’s a nice mare and we’ve always wanted to get her up in trip,’’ Mick Kent said.
"She had the best form in the race. A Group III winner and Group II placegetter, she’s out of a Monsun mare and she tests like she’ll get a mile and a half.’’
Kent harbours spring ambitions for Deny Knowledge, who will head to the paddock.
"We just wanted to tick this box and get her over a trip,’’ he said.
"There are races like the Zipping Classic (2400m) at the back end of the spring, the Matriarch (2000m) and we might even put in a nom for one of those big handicaps (Caulfield and Melbourne Cups).
"It’s her second prep with me and she’s just kept on improving.’’
Deny Knowledge runs for Honeycomb Stud and partners and has the overall record of five wins and five placings from 21 starts with prizemoney topping $350,000.
She made 26,000 euros at the Goffs Sportsman’s Yearling Sale and is the first winner from The Paris Shrug, a winning half-sister by Monsun stallion Manduro to Group I Royal Ascot Gold Cup winner Big Orange.
This is also the family of much loved perennial Melbourne Cup placegetter and Group I winner Red Cadeaux, so it’s no surprise Deny Knowledge is winning over a trip.
Pride of Dubai has three Group I runners at Randwick on Saturday in Dubai Honour, Sirileo Miss and Pride of Jenni, while She’s Fit lines up in the Group II WA Derby.