When owner-breeder Reg Kemister paid $290,000 for broodmare Reggie at the Easter sales, his mates joked that he shouldn't be spending that sort of money on a horse because of its name.
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He might be about to get the last laugh as Heaven Above lines up in the Queensland Oaks at Doomben on Saturday.
"One bloke said to me that I only bought Reggie because of her name, but as I told him she won 12 races and was good middle distance mare," Kemister said. "I was looking for a mare free of Danehill blood and she was perfect.
"She has had two runners for two winners and if Heavens Above can win on Saturday it won't look that bad of a buy."
Reggie was in foal to Testa Rossa when Kemister bought her and the result was Pindan Pearl, which has won three races and nearly $100,000. He decided to mate Reggie to Street Cry, "because I like the match and the stallion", which gave him Heavens Above. She would be passed in for $170,000, prompting Kemister to keep her.
"My trainer Tim Martin really liked her as a yearling and thought she would stay. I took her to the Easter sale and she didn't quite make what we wanted for her," Kemister said.
"I was standing there and it was getting close to the reserve and a good judge was on her in front of me. I heard them say she is going to take time but she is a lovely filly. That's when I made my mind up that I would keep her.
"She has taken a bit of time to develop but she is hitting her straps. She has already been stakes placed in the Keith Nolan Classic and we have wanted to get her over a trip."
Heavens Above comes into the Queensland Oaks on an unusual preparation after being beaten in the Vinery Stud Stakes on a soft track, which she didn't like, the filly was given a freshen up.
She went and won a Wagga maiden over 1200m before third in the Scone Inglis Guineas at 1400m a couple of weeks ago.
The Oaks was always the target and even as $41 outsider, Kemister believes Heavens Above can give cheek.
"You don't get the chance to run in group 1s too often with any horse and Tim said she is going well enough to have a go. We wouldn't be there if he didn't think it was a good idea. There is a lot to be gained even if she can run into a place," Kemister said.
"We have been able to book an inform jockey in Glyn Schofield and she should be able to sit on the pace and give a good kick.
"If she can win I might even buy the blokes who gave Reggie a hard time a beer."
