A bright spot in a tough couple of weeks for trainer Shay Keating as her 3-year-old filly Into You broke her maiden in the Veolia Maiden Plate (1400m) at Ballarat on Wednesday.
Keating, who recently lost her mother, has a high opinion of the daughter of No Nay Never (USA), who was coming off a career debut third at Sandown Hillside on January 24.
Ridden by Alana Kelly, Into You raced greenly down the straight to defeat the Impending filly Tamahine by one and a quarter lengths, with the Epaulette filly Eye Of Epaulette two and a quarter lengths back in third.
Shay Keating said she hopes Into You develops into a South Australian Oaks filly.
“Mum passed away nine days ago, and I’d like to dedicate this to mum,” she said.
“I don’t like putting wraps on horses, but this filly has the scope to go places.
“ I’m hoping we can aim her at the South Australian Oaks over 2000m in a couple of months.
“We will take care of her and it is little steps at the moment. Big thanks to Pierre for sorting out her barrier manners. They’re not perfect yet, but we are getting there.”
Bred by Woodpark Stud, Into You was a $9,500 yearling purchase on Inglis Digital.
She is the third winner from four to race for the unraced Elusive Quality (USA) mare Reeltop (USA) a half-sister to Gr 1 Hollywood Derby winner Seek Again (Speightstown), Gr III winner Treble Gig (Gone West), and Listed winner Scottish Gig (Speightstown).
After foaling a Victor Ludorum (GB) filly last spring, Reeltop (USA) visited Exceedance.
