Clinton McDonald has spring aspirations for Miss Ole, a filly he believes should be unbeaten, after she claimed her second win from three starts in determined fashion at Flemington.
The daughter of Ole Kirk edged out the $5.50 betting app chance Espana by a nose, showing real grit under strong riding from Ben Allen in the Brendan Drechsler Handicap, a performance that has McDonald already eyeing higher targets.
“She’s good and she’s a winner,” McDonald said after the race.
“She probably should be three-for-three and she can go to the paddock, come back and improve again.”
A $360,000 buy at the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Miss Ole debuted at Warrnambool, finishing fifth after enduring a luckless run in the straight according to jockey Ben Melham.
She bounced back with a sharp win at Sandown over 1000 metres on May 24 and confirmed her class with another victory down the Flemington straight.
“She had to be tough there, but she was coming and coming,” McDonald added.
“I was confident, but the winning post was coming, too.”
“I know Lloyd Kennewell has got a good opinion of his horse that ran second (Espana), and it ran fantastic, so I think it will be a good form race.”
McDonald was particularly happy with Miss Ole’s ability to win despite carrying 2½ kilograms more than her nearest rival, noting that the straight-track experience would serve her well going forward.
Rounding out the placings was SonofKirk ($11), who finished half a length away in third.
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