As one of the better two-year-old fillies of last season, Anthony Cummings would like to see She’s Extreme end her spring campaign with a win on the board.
It is for that reason that Cummings has sent She’s Extreme to Melbourne to contest the Group 1 Kennedy Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on Thursday.
She’s Extreme won the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) and the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) last autumn to cement her position as one of the better two-year-old fillies.
However, the filly has gone winless in four runs this campaign, although there have been three placings, including two at Group 1 level at her past two outings.
She’s Extreme finished second to Zougotcha in the Flight Stakes (2000m) before running third to Sharp ‘N’ Smart and Elliptical in the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).
The form from that most recent run has been franked with Sharp ‘N’ Smart running second in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) on Saturday while Elliptical is set to tackle Anamoe and I’m Thunderstruck in the Group 1 Champion Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
She’s Extreme arrived in Melbourne on Sunday and had a look around Flemington on Monday before a gallop on Tuesday morning under race jockey Tommy Berry.
“Tommy rode her and was happy,” Cummings said.
“She’s in good shape. She is fit, healthy, well and off to the races on Thursday.”
Early in the preparation Cummings wasn’t convinced She’s Extreme would head to Thursday’s race, fearing it may be one run too many.
“After the run the other day, I suppose not having won, I’m keen to go along and tick the winner’s box for the preparation,” Cummings said.
“The way she went about her work in the Spring Champion Stakes spoke well of her prospects of going to 2500 (metres) and the form out of that race has been franked by the finish in the Derby.”
She’s Extreme is the $2.60 favourite with TAB to take out the Oaks ahead of Group 2 Wakeful Stakes winner Zennzella at $6 for Melbourne Cup winning trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
Cummings said it is good to have a live chance in the VRC Oaks.
“I’ve only had three or four runners before, but this is the first real chance I’ve had,” he said.