Dunkel defeated Soul Choice at her last two starts, but with the son of Dundeel running in the Tasmanian Derby later in the day, the Listed Strutt Stakes (2100m) proved easy pickings for the Redoute’s Choice filly.
Ridden by Jordan Childs for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Soul Choice led at every call to defeat Just A Needs (Needs Further) by two and a half lengths, with Cloudy Nights (Outreach) a length back in third.
Runner-up in the Listed Launceston Guineas at her most recent start, Soul Choice advances her record to two wins and three seconds from five starts with earnings of $143,940.
A homebred for prominent North American industrialist and breeder Charles Fipke, Soul Choice credits the deceased champion stallion Redoute’s Choice with his 180th stakes winner and first from his final crop of 23 live foals.
Rebe
cca Shanks, in charge of the Waterhouse and Bott team in Melbourne, said all systems go for the Tasmanian Oaks.
“That was perfect - it looked more like a trackwork gallop. She had her ears pricked, and Jordie is one of the best in front, and it was a picture-perfect ride,” Rebecca Shanks said.
“It is so important to knock this black type off. She is an impeccably bred filly, and it’s exciting for Mr Fipke.
“She is an Oaks filly through and through.
“She will stay here for the week until the Oaks. Adam (Trinder) and his team do a great job with her.”
Soul Choice is the third winner from four to race for the stakes-placed Perfect Soul mare Thislilsoulofmine (CAN) from her time in Australia. Her first foal, Choice Of Mine, a brother to Soul Choice, won one of 16 starts and was stakes-placed in Ireland. Redoute’s Soul, also by Redoute’s Choice, has won a Muswellbrook maiden from four starts.
A descendent of the hugely influential Best In Show (USA), Thislilsoulofmine (CAN) has a 2yo colt by Real Steel (JPN), and a yearling colt by I Am Invincible. She was repatriated to the United States on December 2021.
