Oh Too Good owners will celebrate a Winter Championship Final win with a party in Bali
Oh Too Good could inspire a rebrand of the Winx Sports Bar in Bali on Saturday, with victory in the Listed Winter Championship Series Final (1600m) at Flemington.
One-horse trainer Kevin Daffy, wife Christine and daughters Jade and Amber will be trackside while Rick Bayliss, a long-time friend and part-owner of Oh Too Good, will be cheering from afar.
'He'll be watching it from the Winx (Sports) Bar in Bali (Seminyak) … hopefully we might be able to rename it to the Oh Too Good Bar tomorrow,' Daffy said.
'The 16 of them (Bayliss family) are going to be cheering her on from there.'
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Oh Too Good is $2.80 favourite to win the Listed Winter Championship Series Final from Jimmy The Bear ($6), Cafe Millenium ($6.50) and Yellow Sam ($9.50).
Daffy, 'Australia's smallest trainer', was compelled to target the Winter Championship after Oh Too Good won brilliantly last start at Flemington. Jimmy The Bear, who finished second, has won since.
'I guess you can't get much smaller than one horse,' Daffy laughed.
'It's a bit of a novelty for some people … they can't believe it really, it is quite unique, quite special.'
• Egan chasing more success with Payne team on Finals day
Oh Too Good has earned $569,450 with five wins and five minor places from 11 starts.
The five-year-old, affectionately known as 'GiGi' at home, has also become a social media sensation, thanks to Daffy's eldest daughter, Jade.
'Jade started a bit of social media with her this week, and it went nuts. She's quite clever,' Daffy said.
'She came up with a couple cute little videos on Instagram and TikTok … one had 50,000 views and 5000 likes, with people from all over the world commenting.'
The viral 72-second clip on the Ohtoogoodracehorse TikTok account celebrates Daffy's dedication to the 'diva' with behind the scenes footage and a witty script.
'GiGi only likes two things,' the video voiceover states.
'Winning (and) Kevin … everyone else, tolerated at best.'
Daffy is rarely too far from the mare.
'No one else touches this horse, ever, that's why I never let her out of my sight,' Daffy said.
'I do hire a strapper to come with me race day but that's more to go and get the saddle, run the colours up, and help do a few little things I need done.
'She frets if I get too far away from her … she's getting better. When she first went to the races I couldn't walk across from the stall to the fence to talk to anybody, she wouldn't be happy.
'She does at least let me do that a bit now.'
• Flemington Saturday tips, analysis: $9.50 best bet
Despite saddling the favourite, Daffy has respect for the entire field on Saturday.
'No matter what the market says, they're all good horses,' Daffy said.
'I'd be foolish to think I'd be going to a Listed race at Flemington with confidence of winning … I'm happy I'm going there with a horse in the best shape, as happy and as healthy as I could have her.
'With some luck in running, she'll definitely be right in the finish and hopefully winning.'
Trainer Kevin Daffy with Oh Too Good and jockey Ben Allen at Flemington last month. Picture: Getty Images
He also praised jockey Ben Allen for his commitment to stick with Oh Too Good.
Allen brought forward a suspension, had to forgo bulk rides to do so, and all but made the 54kg cut.
'He will be riding her a little bit over the 54kg … that will depend on how he is tomorrow.' Daffy said.
'She could potentially be carrying 55kg, worst case. He's been so committed to wanting to ride her, I didn't ask him to do that because I know how difficult it is for jockeys but he wanted to do it.
'Set himself the task to get down to ride … I really appreciate that and hopefully she can repay him.'
Originally published as Oh Too Good becomes social media sensation ahead of Winter Championship Final bid at Flemington
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Mercury
3 hours ago
- Mercury
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News.com.au
7 hours ago
- News.com.au
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