Luck deserted Nimalee in the Epsom Handicap, but trainer Matt Smith said the tough-as-nails mare had emerged from the race in top order and was a genuine chance of landing her biggest payday in the $2 million The Invitation.
A determined winner of the Golden Pendant at her previous start, Nimalee had to work to find a forward position from a tricky draw in the Epsom and the early effort sealed her fate, the mare finishing a well-beaten fifth.
“She just had to do too much work early,” Smith said.
“We were drawn a bit awkward, we just decided to give it a shot and it didn’t work out, that’s the way it goes.
“But she was rock-hard fit and when they’re fit like that, they generally come out of their races well if they’re tough enough.
“One thing she is, is a big, tough unit.”
Smith has given Nimalee three weeks between runs and while Saturday’s The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick was among several options considered, it was the race connections eventually landed on.
The six-year-old didn’t contest the inaugural edition of the feature last year, instead opting to chase a pedigree-boosting Group 1 win in Melbourne.
It didn’t come off, but Nimalee made amends in the autumn, winning the Queen Of The Turf Stake, freeing connections to follow a different road this spring.
“Last year we were keen to get the Group 1 on the board and we aimed at the Empire Rose (Stakes) for that reason,” Smith said.
“Now that we’ve got the Group 1 on the board, it allowed us then this year to have a crack at The Invitation.”
Along with last year’s winner Icebath and multiple Group 1 performer Forbidden Love, Nimalee is one of the more seasoned mares in Saturday’s field, but there is plenty of depth with the likes of Espiona, Promise Of Success and Swats That all capable at their best.
Smith is under no illusions about the task Nimalee faces but is equally confident that she can figure in the finish.
“If a few of them turn up there, like Forbidden Love, it’s a good race,” Smith said.
“She doesn’t leave anything in the tank, she always tries hard so she will do her best and hopefully it’s good enough on the day.”