Youeffoh is an identified flying object. Well she was today at Geelong anyway.
The nicely related Starcraft filly gave connections plenty to look forward to when she romped home in the Luxbet.com Plate (1000m).
Racing for just the second time, the Lee Freedman prepared filly showed she had a bright future ahead when she finished over the top of the field in an authoritative performance.
The filly’s only previous run was a sixth, when beaten just three lengths, by subsequent Blue Diamond Stakes winner Star Witness in the listed Talindert Stakes at Flemington in January.
Part owner John O’Neill said the promising filly was raced in similar interests to former superstar galloper Mummify.
“We bought the filly as a yearling on the Gold Coast with a few friends – Mark Pejic and Billy Pearce and Danny Upfal.”
“And I’m happy to get Dan (Nikolic) back on the horse.
We had a great association with him.”
O’Neill said the stable has for quite a while held a good opinion of Youeffoh.
“Lee has certainly taken his time with her and hopefully we can go on and win some better races over the spring,” he said.
“We had some issues first up with her and she’s had some issues in work. We’ll just continue to battle on – Lee will work it out.”
Winning rider Danny Nikolic predicted bigger and better things from the filly – suggesting once she learned to settle in her races she would improve to another level.
“Lee’s got a good opinion of her and he told me to try and find a bum – sit second or third.”
“The tempo was okay early. She did start to switch off but once she learns to settle she’s going to be above average.”
“There was plenty there. I just let her move up coming to the turn and let her find her gait.”
“When she balanced up I put a couple around her tail and she really hit the line. Today was a much better effort than the other race in town in good class.”
“I think she’s got the makings of a nice filly. But she’s just got to learn to relax and breath,” Nikolic summed up.
When the finish line was reached Youeffoh ($1.70 fav) held a two and a quarter length margin over African Heat ($7).
Another two and a quarter lengths back in third place was Wild West ($4).
By Star Witness’ sire Starcraft, Youeffoh is one of four winners produced by the black type performed Danehill mare Ribot’s Secret,
Twice a winner in the Northern Hemisphere, Ribot’s Secret was second in a Group Three Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot and third in a Group Three Railway Stakes at the Curragh and Group Three Senorita Stakes at Hollywood.
She was also fourth in two other group races at the Curragh.
Ribot’s Secret’s other three winners are also multiple victors in Japan and one of her daughters is also a proven winner producer.
