One of the stars of the spring after coming from a Murtoa maiden to win the Group II Edward Manifold Stakes and place in the Group 1 One Thousand Guineas, the Mick Price-trained Badawiya showed with her slashing return in Saturday's Group II AV Kewney Stakes (1400m) at Flemington a win at the highest level is well within her scope this term.
Ridden by Craig Newitt, the 3yo daughter of Al Maher displayed an impressive turn of foot to defeat Don't Doubt Mamma (Not A Single Doubt) by two and quarter lengths with Egypt (Sebring) three-quarters of a length back in third.(photo Grant Courtney).
A homebred for Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Badawiya advances her record to 4 wins, 1 second and 2 thirds from 8 starts for earnings of $328,775.
"The advantage of barrier 2 - have a nice run in the race, do no work, get the trail behind the speed and when she hooked out it was the right time for her, Price said"
"I have tried to catch up for this 1400m race. When you miss a run it just puts you out a bit.
"She had some mucus in a scope two weeks ago so we waited.
"I thought she might have been a little bit underdone but she's a good filly at Flemington, got a good trail and it worked out good.
"She looked like she changed stride when he went for her but once she was balanced up she hit the line hard.
"I'd love to think she can go to Group I level. She's only a three-year-old and a race like the Doncaster might be a bit tough for her.
"I wouldn't ask her to go to the ATC Oaks - it's too far, too soon. She's light framed and needs a bit of care and she responds.
"Space her runs out and she should keep winning."
A half-sister to the South African Group 1 winner Rumya (Red Ransom), Badawiya was foaled and raised at Coolmore for Sheikh Bin Khalifa and is out of the Fuji Kiseki mare Sayuri San a granddaughter of the great Emancipation.
Sayuri San has a 2yo Fastnet Rock colt named Saarim, a yearling colt by Fastnet Rock and a filly foal by Exceed And Excel.
She was bred back to Fastnet Rock last spring.
