Written by Jackson Frantz
Promising staying prospect Mimi’s Award (Shamus Award) could be the next galloper in line to showcase Rob Slade’s eye for a budget buy when she takes her place in Saturday’s G2 Matriarch S. at Flemington.
While Slade has carved out a name for identifying top-line talent, headlined by sprint sensation Alinghi (Encosta De Lago) and multiple Group 1 winner Moment Of Change (Barely A Moment), a star stayer is yet to feature on his distinguished resume.
While Alinghi and Moment Of Change were purchased by Slade Bloodstock as yearlings for $80,000 and $50,000 respectively, Mimi’s Award was snapped up by Slade for $15,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.
“I bought three weanlings at that Sale and as I already had No Shame by the same sire who we quite liked I thought I’d target the breed again,” Slade told TDN AusNZ.
“I thought she (Mimi’s Award) was a real standout. She had good size, was athletic and to be honest I couldn’t believe I paid just $15,000 for her, it was a real steal.”
Slade’s decision to target the weanling market in 2018 was entirely by design, saying it provides syndicators with the perfect opportunity to secure quality stock at a discounted price.
“I have played the weanling market on and off for quite a number of years because as a syndicator you’re in a perfect position. If you don’t get what you want with them at the yearling sales you can always syndicate them out like I’ve done with her (Mimi’s Award) and a few others,” Slade said.
"I have played the weanling market on and off for quite a number of years because as a syndicator you’re in a perfect position." - Rob Slade
“Once I bought her, I spelled her at Supreme Thoroughbreds and they did a great job rearing her, I opted against sending her to the yearling sales to syndicate due to size, however, I probably wish I kept her myself at that price.”
A Classic success
Mimi’s Award has already proved a profitable investment for Slade and his fellow connections, having won the 2500 metre G3 SA Fillies’ Classic in May after bursting onto the scene with a 7l BM58 romp at Wangaratta the start prior.
Slade credits a large portion of Mimi Award’s early success to the work of former Lindsay Park co-trainer Tom Dabernig, however, he said it never crossed his mind to send the mare to Warrnambool upon Dabernig’s departure in July.
Rob Slade
“She’s always shown a lot of ability but the one egg on her early was that she was always going to take time being so lightly framed,” Slade said.
“Tom (Dabernig) did a really great job with her (Mimi’s Award), he made her his project last time in, but it would’ve been wrong to move her from the Hayes establishment and since Tom left Ben and JD (Hayes) have done such a great job with her.”
Mimi’s Award has impressed in two runs this campaign, finishing ninth on resumption at Sandown before flashing home into second after spotting the lead more than 10l with 800 metres to run in a 1700 metre BM80 H. at Caulfield on October 16.
"She’s (Mimi's Award) always shown a lot of ability but the one egg on her early was that she was always going to take time being so lightly framed." - Rob Slade
Slade confirmed the lightly raced 4-year-old has come through her last start in good order and that she is ready to measure up against the likes of last Saturday’s G1 Empire Rose S. fourth placegetter Nimalee (So You Think {NZ}).
“She’s very progressive and we have taken our time with her, and while she’s going to keep getting better all the time, I can understand the market support for her on Saturday because she will love Flemington,” Slade said.
“It’s the ideal track for her, she will really appreciate the big straight at Flemington that’s for sure.”
Barrier no concern
Slade holds no concerns about Mimi’s Award drawing barrier 12 of 15, saying she will roll back from the gate and get every opportunity to work through her gears out wide.
“Daniel Stackhouse knows her well and the barrier plays into her racing style perfectly, I can see her back second last and hopefully getting to the outside where she can unleash because she’s pretty powerful,” Slade said.
"I can see her (Mimi's Award) back second last and hopefully getting to the outside where she can unleash because she’s pretty powerful." - Rob Slade
A Cups campaign may await Mimi’s Award in the spring of 2022.
He said she is likely to be spelled following the Matriarch S. in preparation for key autumn features.
“After she won the Group 3 last preparation the boys (Lindsay Park) said let’s not thrust her into a Cups campaign let’s look after her and the Matriarch looked a perfect race to try make her a more valuable broodmare,” Slade said.
Mimi's Award
“It was all about the Matriarch this year and because she will stay all day, next year we’ll start looking at some nice races in the autumn and hopefully the Cups this time next year.”
