News

Filly stakes her claim for Australasian Oaks

8th Feb 2010

The Age - Andrew Garvey - Sunday, 7 February 2010

Craig Williams further cemented his relationship with Patinack Farm with a win on the highly promising No Evidence Needed in the Sandown Park (UK) Handicap.

No Evidence Needed put three wins together in Sydney last campaign before a spell and looks to have come back a much stronger filly.

Williams had her nicely positioned just behind the leaders, Azwa and Big Spirit, coming to the turn but Azwa ($8) was able to gain a break and looked home at the 100 metres, before No Evidence Needed ($9.50) grabbed her in the last stride to win by a head, with Starry Eyed ($3.80) favourite, who was forced to race wide, a half-length away third over the 1200 metres.

''She's a seven furlongs [1400 metres] to a mile [1600 metres] horse and it was the type of race they would be able to outsprint her in and they did at the top of the straight but she really knuckled down to her task well and showed she was a quality filly,'' Williams said.

Glen Thompson, stable spokesman for trainer John Thompson, said No Evidence Needed was likely to have another two runs in Melbourne before the group 1 $300,000 Australasian Oaks (2000 metres) at Morphettville on March 20.

No Evidence Needed, by emerging young Darley sire Shamardal, was a $130,000 purchase at the 2008 Sydney Easter Yearling sale, being bred by Bart Cummings, who raced her dam and grandam.

Williams' short-term riding plans were later thrown into confusion when he was suspended for 12 meetings for causing interference on Carbon Trader in the Selangor Turf Club Handicap.

The suspension is due to start after tomorrow's Hobart Cup meeting and and end on the eve of the Blue Diamond Stakes on Saturday week but Williams said he would appeal.