It was a first shared taste of Group 1 glory for the father-son training partnership of John and Chris Meagher. Hall of Fame inductee John Meagher had previously trained a number of big winners in his own right, headed by the 1985 Melbourne Cup with What a Nuisance (NZ) (St Puckle {GB}).
Pippie was ridden by Linda Meech, who became the first female jockey to win the Oakleigh P. in the 136-year history of the famous sprint.
Last but certainly not least, Pippie herself earned a place in the Oakleigh P. record books as the fastest ever winner of the race, clocking a sizzling time of 1:01.93 for the 1100 metres.
The rail was the place to be all day at Caulfield on Saturday, and Pippie and Meech had it squarely in their sights despite breaking from gate 14.
Pippie exploded out of the barrier, racing to the lead and crossing over to the rail.
Concern began to ripple through the chasing pack as Pippie cornered with a clear lead, Meech sitting motionless in the saddle.
Pippie charged down the straight, beginning to tire in the last 100 metres but still with a clear margin up her sleeve.
The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained pair of Zoutori (Zoustar) and Crystal Dreamer (Stratum) sprinted at her late and both got within a length and a half, but they couldn’t quite catch the flying front-runner.
It was a second Group 1 victory for Meech, who won the 2015 Coolmore Classic on Plucky Belle (Mossman). Having battled to make the 52-kilogram weight, this one was particularly special.
Linda Meech
“I can’t tell you how much this means to me,” Meech said. “I’ve been starving myself for the last month just to make the weight on her. I wanted to do it really properly.
“I can naturally ride at 54, but anything under that is a struggle. So there’s been a lot of running and not a lot of food. I’m keen for a big steak tonight.
“Today everything just fell into place. She even had a cheeky little prick of her ears with 100 metres to go, and I was like, ‘The race is not over, girl.’
“Today everything just fell into place. She even had a cheeky little prick of her ears with 100 metres to go, and I was like, ‘The race is not over, girl.’" - Linda Meech
“A big thanks to Chris and John, the owners and everybody involved. I just got the fun part.
“I also want to thank Jess Eaton, who used to live with me when we both started our apprenticeships. She’s been riding this horse in all her work, and she’s been telling me how confident she was in her and what a great ride she’d be in the Oakleigh.”
Pippie was bred by Eureka Cambooya Thoroughbreds, and she was bought for just $60,000 at the 2017 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Pippie as a yearling
From nine starts, Pippie has now collected five wins and $571,450 in stakes for owners Heran Racing. She won the G3 Cockram S. in late August, then placed in the G3 Furphy Sprint at Flemington.
“Outstanding,” Chris Meagher said. “She’s just pure speed.
“In her last preparation, she started out as a little girl and came back a woman. And then today she was just pure speed and was too good. It’s a magic result.
“She’s really fast. I said to Linda, ‘Handle bars down as soon as the gates open.’ It worked out perfectly. When she’s fresh, she’s extra, extra special.”
