Timely victory from Oaks hopeful

About Time took her first winning step toward a Group 1 goal when she accounted for her older rivals at Pukekohe.In a memorable start to Melbourne Cup Day, our homebred and raced daughter of American Pharoah followed up a gallant debut third with victory over 1200 metres.The filly took her chance from the outside gate, and a task made even harder when she was slowly into stride and settled well back, and jockey Warren Kennedy weaved a path between runners in the straight to score with authority. “She was strong first-up and to be honest I was going to scratch her because of the draw,” trainer Lance Noble said.“I spoke to Brendan and he said she’s got the best jockey and leave her in, so I have to thank the boss.“She was a bit naughty in the gates, but Warren didn’t panic and let it unfold in front of him.“She’s bred to stay an Oaks trip so that’s the long-term target.”A half-brother to three-time winner and Group 1 performer Young Werther, About Time is a daughter of the Fastnet Rock mare Romantic Time who is also the dam of multiple winners Villaden and black-type placegetter Romantic Lady.She delivered a colt by Savabeel who will feature in our 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock yearling draft before producing a colt by Almanzor this season.