Written by Richard Edmunds
Eighteen months on from a G2 Todman S. boilover by Aylmerton (Siyouni {Fr}), the same trainer and sire combined for another upset in Saturday’s Forum Group Kirkham Plate at Randwick.
Jean Dubois had given 2-year-old filly See You Soon (Siyouni {Fr}) a quiet spring, only lining up for her first trial last Tuesday at Warwick Farm.
She made her debut as an unheralded fourth favourite on Saturday among a field of six, with all eyes on million-dollar yearling Close To Me (I Am Invincible) and the $670,000 purchase Anders (Not A Single Doubt). But it was See You Soon who came out well on top, with the promise of a whole lot more to come.
Jockey Jean Van Overmeire eased See You Soon back to second-last in the early stages of the 1000-metre race, with Anders setting the pace.
See You Soon
When Dame Giselle (I Am Invincible) moved up alongside Anders in the straight and sprinted to the front, she seemed to have the race at her mercy. Then suddenly See You Soon emerged on her outside, overcoming her in the last 50 metres with a decisive finishing burst.
“She’s a tough little horse,” Van Overmeire said. “She sat back, but relaxed nicely and was suited by the good tempo. When I pulled her out, she really let rip – good to see from a first-starter.
“She’s a tough little horse... When I pulled her out, she really let rip – good to see from a first-starter." - Jean Van Overmeire
“I rode her in the trial on Tuesday and thought she went very nicely. I didn’t really do too much on her and just allowed her to go through her gears. I felt like she had quite a bit in hand at the end of that trial, so we were quietly confident coming into today that she might be able to do what she’s done.
“Stepping up over 1200 metres will be even better for her, and I think she’ll also be a much better horse when she strengthens up more and has more time behind her to learn her craft.”
See You Soon with trainer Jean Dubois
Raced by her breeders Woodpark Stud, See You Soon is the fifth winner from five foals to race out of the multiple Group 3-winning mare Soneva (USA) (Cherokee Run {USA}). The only black-type performer to date is the four-time Listed winner The Blue Eye (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who has won a total of 18 races and was the champion older male in Qatar in 2016.
Dubois is keen to give See You Soon a chance in stronger company in the near future, with the $1 million Golden Gift at Rosehill on November 9 high on the wish list.
“I think she’s got class,” he said. “She’s had only one trial, and that was four days ago. It was possibly a bit too soon to run today after that, but there aren’t a lot of maiden races now, so there wasn’t much choice. We had a go, and it worked. I think she’s a really good filly.
“I think she’s got class... there wasn’t much choice. We had a go, and it worked. I think she’s a really good filly." - Jean Dubois
“I waited so long with her because she has been a bit late to develop. I wanted to have her well in the head – she can get a bit stressed, as she did before the race today. We’ve just been trying to give her time to settle.
“Of course the Golden Gift is a target now. If she pulls up well from this race, why not? It’s a very good option.”
