A Caulfield Cup campaign could be on the cards for In Good Heath after the mare scored an upset win in the Listed $140,000 Neds Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield today.
The proven combination of trainer Peter Moody and jockey Luke Nolen teamed up again with In Good Health who was one of the outsiders of the Heartherlie Stakes field at $61.
In Good Health was coming off a last start win in a mi-week Sandown meeting but proved too strong against tougher opposition to record a nose win over the $3 favourite Sircconi.
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy trained Game Keeper ($5.50) was a close up third.
Nolen had In Good Health up with the leaders after jumping from a wide gate and the tough mare was still able to fight hard to the line in a tight finish.
In Good Heath is still at long odds for the Group 1 $5m Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 17 and is marked at $81 at Ladbrokes.com.au.
“We thought she had improved off the mid-week the other day,” Moody said.
“This was a big step. Stewie (Ramsey) put a bit of pressure on me during the week and said that he had a stallion ready for her if I don’t keep her performing so she might have listened too. She might want to stay a racehorse.”
“She is progressive and wants a mile and a quarter, a mile and a half. He made me nominate her for the Cups.”
“You never know. There was plenty of Cups aspirants behind her. It was special to win in those colours.”