Nayeli scores surprise win in Fireball

Gai Waterhouse ended a stellar day with an unexpected win when Nayeli returned to her best form to take out the final race at Randwick.

Bred by Corumbene Stud and sold to Gai Waterhosue and James Harron Bloodstock at the Inglis Easter yearling sale for $260,000, Nayeli is by More Than Ready  our of the Danehill mare Wasimah.

Tulloch Lodge had already won Group One races with Wandjina claiming the Australian Guineas at Flemington and Cosmic Endeavour the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick as well as a pair of two-year-old features in Sydney with Vancouver and English.

But the stable’s form wasn’t enough to draw punters into Nayeli who drifted from $31 to start at $61 in the Listed Fireball Quality (1100m).

A Group Three winner as a two-year-old, Nayeli was plain in two runs during the spring but Waterhouse said the filly had matured this preparation and it showed on the racetrack.

“Her work leading up to this was nothing short of sensational and I just think she’s started to mature,” Waterhouse said.

The trainer revealed she admired Nayeli as a yearling and made a winning bid on the filly but struggled to find owners until loyal clients Greg and Donna Kolivos stepped in after seeing her advertised on Waterhouse’s website.

“I got her and then I couldn’t sell her,” Waterhouse said.

“She has paid for herself, today in particular.”

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