Trainer Clinton McDonald is aiming higher with Miss Ole after the promising filly recorded her second win in three starts, digging deep for a narrow victory in the Brendan Drechsler Handicap at Flemington.
By Ole Kirk, Miss Ole was sent out the $2 favourite and showed a fighting spirit to claw past $5.50 betting app contender Espana by a nose under Ben Allen’s determined ride.
“She’s good and she’s a winner,” McDonald said.
“She probably should be three-for-three and she can go to the paddock, come back and improve again.”
Purchased for $360,000 at the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Miss Ole had a tough-luck debut at Warrnambool where she finished fifth after finding trouble in the run, but quickly made amends with a dominant win at Sandown on May 24.
“She had to be tough there, but she was coming and coming,” McDonald said.
“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 pleased with how his filly handled the Flemington straight and carried more weight than her rivals, believing it will only benefit her long-term development.
Third placegetter SonofKirk ($11) finished half a length behind the quinella.
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