GIMCRACK STAKES RUNNER-UP HAS MORE ADMIRERS NOW
IT’S a date Shaun Harvey won’t miss.
First acceptances for the world’s richest two-year-old race – the $5m Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens in March – are due on Tuesday, and the Wyong trainer can’t wait to pay the $605 fee for his filly I’m Admired.
Especially after the youngster gave Harvey and her owners a huge thrill in finishing a cracking second in yesterday’s Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) against her own sex at Royal Randwick.
The $151 rank outsider, I’m Admired is no doubt admired even more after coming from last and slicing through the field over the last 200m at her debut.
“We had a lot of owners at the track yesterday, and there was so much excitement at the finish I think the Sky Racing camera zoned in us thinking we were the winners,” an understandably delighted Harvey said today.
“I’m Admired ran a fantastic race.
“I knew she had improved since her fourth in the officlal two-year-old trials at the Kensington track last month.
“And I’m pleased to say she has pulled up well.
“The $46,250 she earned is very important as we want to qualify her for the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast in January.
“I’ll have a look through the programs and see if there is another race in the coming weeks we can focus on to try to get more prizemoney and then give her a break, and look ahead to the Millions.
“I feel she can handle another race, so we’ll see if something suitable is available.
“The Magic Millions is our immediate goal as I’m Admired is raced by a ladies’ syndicate.
“Apart from the rich prizemoney, there is also big money on offer for the first four fillies in finishing order which are female owned or leased.
“But on yesterday’s performance, we have to keep her in the Golden Slipper (on March 22) as well.”
The 2027 Slipper drew 1914 entries when they closed in July, and the Wyong filly is one of the 100 cheapest buys amongst them.
Harvey and former jockey Lauren Van Tijn paid $24,000 for her at the Magic Millions yearling sale in Adelaide earlier this year with a view to forming a ladies’ syndicate to race her.
“Lauren was in Adelaide for the sale, and we wanted to get either a grey or a flashy youngster for the syndicate,” Harvey explained.
“I’m Admired (by Admire Mars) wasn’t dear, and she fitted the bill.
“Coincidentally, her dam Adamina (by Snitzel) also ran second on debut, in the Group 3 Widden Stakes at Rosehill in 2018.
“We had no trouble syndicating I’m Admired, and the owners already have got their money back.
“It’s exciting for the future as the filly definitely has the scope for further improvement, and will take a lot of benefit from yesterday’s experience.”
Harvey, who has only a small team in work, had never had a runner at a Group 1 meeting, and also had only one previous starter at Randwick.
He took two horses to town yesterday, and his fortunes turned around sharply after $600 buy Gemtiki ($61) ran last in the opener, the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1800m).
“She wasn’t comfortable at all on the soft ground, but at least it gave some of her owners who can’t get to country meetings the chance to see her race,” Harvey said.
“Gemtiki has done a terrific job winning two races and more than $50,000 in prizemoney since we bought her online in May.
“That was her 10th start for us, and she has earned a break.”
STORY JOHN CURTIS, OCTOBER 4, 2026 - PICS SUPPLIED
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