When Anthony Cummings bought She’s Extreme, he saw her as a quality two-year-old – maybe not the Champagne Stakes winner she became, but he knew she was an athlete.
But when he went to sell her to Robert Crabtree, who would become the filly’s major owner, he wasn’t so sure about what Cummings was saying.
Tommy Berry trots Champagne Stakes winner She’s Extreme back after her barrier trial at Randwick last month Credit:Getty
“Robert thought she might be a bit dour and more of a three-year-old, so hopefully we’re both right,” Cummings said. “I was convinced she would go early; he thought she would be better at a mile and beyond at three.
“She has certainly done it on the track already and, if Crabby is right, the best is come.
“I convinced him to take a part of her, and it has worked out well, so far.”
She’s Extreme was runner-up in the Sires’ Produce (1400m) and won the group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) in a year that has thrown up doubt about the strength of the two-year-old form from the wet autumn.
Cummings looks at those that have returned at three in recent times and accepts that it might be a year where the form can be questioned.
“It has been patchy from those horses from the autumn, there is no hiding from that,” Cummings said.
“But the two best two-year-olds – She’s Extreme and Fireburn – have only trialled so far, so we are going to find out a lot more on Saturday.
“Time will tell what the best form is, but at the moment I think it is with She’s Extreme and Fireburn until it is proven otherwise.”
She’s Extreme resumes in the group 2 Furious Stakes
(1200m) at Randwick on Saturday, and jockey Tommy Berry has stuck with her. It will be her only run outside group 1 level in a program that includes the Golden Rose, Flight Stakes and maybe a Spring Champion Stakes.
“I have had a couple of two-year-old group 1 winners, but she has the potential to be better than them,” Cummings said. “She has got bigger in the right places and taken the steps they need to as they grow up.
“Tommy could have ridden a few of these fillies, but he has wanted to stick with her, which is always a good sign.
“This is probably the run where she will be vulnerable, and she isn’t helped by an awkward draw, but she gets the soft track she likes.
“She is going to get better with the run, but she might just be better than them as well.”
Berry was concise with his comments after She’s Extreme only barrier trial behind Malkovich last month: “Strong, sharp, very switched on.” He was also in the saddle for a gallop between races last Saturday.
“I have a very happy jockey and a very good filly,” Cummings said.
She’s Extreme sits on the second line of betting at $5.50 with Percy Sykes Stakes winner Paris Dior behind In Secret, the $3.50 favourite, which has the benefit of a runner-up finish in the Silver Shadow Stakes a couple of weeks ago.
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter
