Let's Elope Won By No Evidence Needed
Story By Alex Steedman
Saturday, 4 September 2010:  | | No Evidence Needed |
Despite an encouraging fourth on resuming in the Cockram Stakes three weeks ago, No Evidence Needed was considered an outside chance starting at $20.
From an outside barrier, the Shamardal mare was positioned midfield in the run by jockey James Winks.
The pair was well positioned to make a charge in the straight as they saved ground along the inside going around the turn.
With a long sustained run up the middle of the Flemington straight No Evidence Needed fought to the lead in the concluding stages and also fended off a challenge from the fast finishing Response.
Today's Let's Elope victory was a maiden Group level success for No Evidence Needed who recorded two black type placings last campaign in the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1400m) and the Group 1 Schweppes Oaks (2006m) at Morphettville.
Patinack head trainer John Thompson is hopeful the mare can add further Group success to her record in the form of a Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington on October 30.
“She is a lovely mare and well deserving of that [victory], Thompson said. “We've always had a good opinion of her, it was great.”
Nathan Tinkler was also on hand to witness No Evidence Needed record a valuable Group win for his Patinack Farm operation.
“It was a good win today,” Tinkler said. “She'll probably end up in the Myer but she had to win a race like this today or something else like this to prove that it is worthwhile her being there.”
Only two mares have completed the Let's Elope Stakes/Myer Classic Double with Natural Wonder and Rose of Portland achieving the feat in 1990 and 1996 respectively.
No Evidence Needed has been a model of consistency for the Patinack Farm team throughout her 14 start career.
The four-year-old has rarely put in a poor performance with five wins, four minor placings and earnings in excess of $400,000.
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