Thursday at Flemington was a very special day for our stable, with Strictly Business winning the Group 1 Crown Oaks. It was a proud moment for her owners and our team, and we feel very lucky to have been part of it.
Strictly Business only broke her maiden two weeks ago at Ballarat and she has continued to improve with each run. She's a straightforward filly who enjoys her work, does everything asked of her and has taken every step this preparation in her stride. To see her stand up at Flemington on such a big day meant a lot to everyone involved.
What made the win even nicer was the number of owners on course, they created a great atmosphere and were right behind her all the way down the straight. It is a reminder of how much these horses bring people together and how enjoyable the journey can be.
John Allen has ridden her throughout the preparation and knows her well. He gave her a calm, patient ride and allowed her to finish the race the way she likes to. We're very thankful to Johnny and to all our riders and staff who have helped guide her through each stage of her preparation.
We are mindful of how hard these races are to win and how many things need to go right to even get a horse to the Oaks, let alone win it. Strictly Business has come through the run well, ate up afterwards and was happily picking grass in her paddock. She will now have a well-earned break.
A sincere thank you to our Martin Falvey and fellow owners for their support, and to everyone who sent messages following the race, it has meant a lot to us.
We look forward to seeing what the future holds for Strictly Business. For now, we'll simply enjoy the moment, a Group 1 win at Flemington with a filly and owners who has given us all a memory of a lifetime.