There looks to be better things ahead for the gorgeous looking Ifraaj (GB) filly I Say Hello, who scored a last stride win in a competitive benchmark 64 for fillies and mares over 1200m at Newcastle on Tuesday.
Trained by Kris Lees, I say Hello was the only ride on the day for Hugh Bowman.
Well back in the field, entering the home straight, I Say Hello was forced to chase from a long way out as the Toronado (IRE) filly Zoracat set up what looked to be a winning margin.
Under hard riding, I Say Hello gradually began to close down Zorcat, who wasn't about to surrender without a fight.
Carrying the all-navy colours of Coolmore Stud, I Say Hello defeated Zorcat by a long-head. The I Am Invincible filly Salateen came from last under her topweight to finish a further half-length back in third.
All three look capable of making their presence felt in town.
I Say Hello advances her record to two and a second from three starts. The daughter of Iffraaj (GB) made a winning debut over the same track and distance in a 2yo maiden plate over 12 months ago.
At her most recent start, I Say Hello came from last to finish second at Newcastle on March 5.
'She is a big gross filly with a lot of improvement to come," Lees said.
"She was probably on empty herself late, having chased them down with nothing taking her into the race.
"I thought it was a really good effort. The time may not suggest that, but she was really strong late.
"She has a lot of upside. She has been a work in progress as she has been a touch aggressive. She led at her first start when she won, but ridden this way to harness that energy and let her react late is possibly the best thing for her."
A $280,000 purchase by Anthony Penfold out of the Rich Hill Stud draft at Karaka in 2019, I Say Hello is the second winner from as many to race out of the Group 1 WRC Thorndon Mile and Group 1 Te Aroha JC New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes heroine Say No More (Pentire).
Danny O'Brien purchased Say No More's Vadamos colt for $45,000 at Karaka in 2020.
The daughter of Pentire has a yearling filly by Satono Aladdin (JPN) and was covered by Ace High last spring.
