2025 VRC Oaks winner Strictly Business has taken her first steps towards this year's Caulfield and Melbourne Cups with a 1400m hitout at Burrumbeet on Thursday morning.
The daughter of Grunt, inches away from further Group 1 glory in May's South Australian Derby prior to a spell, looks to have returned for the spring in fine order, working strongly to the line for third under regular rider John Allen on a heavy track.
"Both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups could really suit her with the light weight, and she's effectively qualified for both as a G1 winner over 2500m," Thomas said.
"She did a good bit of work this morning, she hit the line really well. It was great to get on the grass here at Burrumbeet on a nice fresh morning, even though it was heavy. We're really looking forward to seeing what she can do for us this season, and today was the first step towards that."
Strictly Business' younger half-sister, Royal Meeting filly Refuse To Curtsy, also hit the track on Thursday, closing well in spite of the wet going as she builds towards her second racing campaign.