Cover image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Ohope chasing a win in the Vinery
There’s genuine intrigue around the Australian debut of Ohope Wins (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), a filly who built a serious profile over summer and into early autumn in New Zealand. Her run of victories - the G1 New Zealand Oaks, G2 David and Karyn Ellis Filles Classic and G2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes - under Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott stamped her as one of the more accomplished 3-year-olds across the Tasman this season.
Now in the care of Chris Waller, she gets her chance to add an Australian Group 1 in the Vinery Stud Stakes, a race that has recently been kind to fillies emerging through New Zealand form, with Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) and Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) both taking that path.
Ohope Wins | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Waller has taken a measured approach since she arrived at Rosehill, allowing her to settle into her new surroundings without overcomplicating things.
“She has settled in really well,” Waller told Weigh In.
“Andrew and Lance have done a fantastic job with her, and they have been great to deal with since we have taken her over.
“She has had a pretty straightforward fortnight. She is very professional, she has settled in really well, she is in the same barn as Autumn Glow. We haven’t fussed over her, we have just treated her as a normal horse.
“She (Ohope Wins) is very professional, she has settled in really well, she is in the same barn as Autumn Glow.” - Chris Waller
“We have seen some good things, she has had a couple of quiet gallops and she had a trial. James (McDonald) was aboard in the trial, and he was very impressed with her.
“She will run in the Vinery this Saturday over 2000 metres, it is a pretty good field. She has certainly got something about her.”
Chris Waller | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
It’s a deep race, and the Kiwi theme continues through Belle Cheval (NZ) (Savabeel), who brings a different but equally compelling formline after going close to beating Well Written (Written Tycoon) in the R. Listed NZB the Kiwi. Panova (Snitzel) also profiles as one who will relish getting out to 2000 metres, giving the race a strong staying edge.
Vauban back for another Tancred crack
Few horses maintain their level as long as Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), and the seasoned galloper returns to a familiar path after his win in the G3 Sky High Stakes, where he had the measure of Saturday's race-rival Soul Of Spain (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}).
That performance sets him up for another tilt at the G1 Tancred Stakes, the same race where he ran a brave third last year behind Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai), who he meets again. The script feels familiar - but perhaps not finished.
Now rising nine, Vauban looks to go a couple better this time around in what shapes as a high-quality field, with the G1 Ranvet Stakes winner Aeliana (Castelvecchio) looming as the one they all have to beat.
Vauban | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
"I think Adrian (Bott) gained a lot of satisfaction from Vauban's win the other day,'' Australian Bloodstock’s director Jamie Lovett told racingandsports.
"Gai and Adrian have done a really good job with this old horse and he keeps coming up preparation after preparation.
"He obviously performed fresh the other day but it wasn't a gut-buster, they just travelled to the turn then he kicked up and went away from them.''
Lovett is under no illusions about the challenge ahead.
"Aeliana is obviously going to be hard to beat and Dubai Honour is a freak,'' Lovett said. "But we feel Vauban is in very good shape and last year he was a bit unlucky (third to Dubai Honour) in the Tancred so hopefully he runs well again on Saturday.''
"Aeliana is obviously going to be hard to beat and Dubai Honour is a freak.” - Jamie Lovett
With options like the Sydney Cup and Queen Elizabeth Stakes still on the table, Saturday shapes as a key marker for how deep his autumn campaign will go.
Jamie Lovett | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
"We had talked about giving Vauban a light autumn and maybe trying to target a race like the Q22 in Brisbane,'' Lovett said.
"There are also plans to have another go at the Melbourne Cup later this year. But we will see what happens in the Tancred then have a talk to Gai and Adrian about where we go next with him.''
Waller’s double threat in the Australian Cup
Chris Waller heads to Flemington with a strong hand in the G1 Australian Cup, saddling up Birdman (Ire) (Free Eagle {Ire}) and Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn) - two horses trending in the right direction at the right time.
Leica Lucy, in particular, looks set to appreciate getting out to 2000 metres, a distance Waller has long had in mind for her.
"She showed in the spring she's up to Group 1 level and 2000-metre distance I'm excited about, it's the furthest we've had her over in Australia," Waller told racenet.com
Leica Lucy (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images
"Birdman is in great form, he's learned to be a winner … even his first-up run, where he didn't win, he was very unlucky and stepping out to 2000 metres should be a positive also.
"Both horses should get lovely runs (from good barriers), with Birdman confidence is the key and Leica Lucy, she's been there before and gets her chance in Australia.
"You've always got respect for other runners, it's a weight-for-age contest, 2000 metres, you just love getting to Flemington," Waller said.
Birdman’s recent form has impressed, not just for the wins, but for how he’s come through them.
Birdman (Ire) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
"When a horse wins they come through the run so much better," Waller said.
"They haven't been to the bottom, so that gives you a headstart. You don't have to worry about how you can improve them."
It’s an even contest on paper. Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}) brings Group 1-winning form into the race and has been a winner over 2000 metres, while Sabaj (Manhattan Rain) shapes as the knockout hope with a sense of timing about his preparation.
Idle Flyer building towards her peak
It hasn’t been the smoothest preparation for Idle Flyer (Dundeel {NZ}), but there are signs things are starting to fall into place at the right time. A delayed return due to a virus saw her resume over an unsuitable 1200 metres in the G3 Wenona Girl Quality, where she still managed to finish a credible fourth behind Gangsta Granny (Written Tycoon).
Since then, her progression has been more in line with expectations, highlighted by a sharp trial win at Warwick Farm that suggests she’s ready to step up to 1500 metres in the G2 Emancipation Stakes.
Idle Flyer | Image courtesy of Sportpix
"We started in a race we didn't really want to start in because we had a few interruptions to her 'prep'," Smith told racingandsports.
"She has been a little bit behind. Her run was good first-up, so she goes into this race fit and well, but is she at her peak yet? Probably not.”
"She is ready to go, but one more and she will be cherry ripe."
"She (Idle Flyer) is ready to go, but one more and she will be cherry ripe." - Matthew Smith
She meets a strong field of mares, with Verona Rose (Castelvecchio) bringing consistent form, including a brave fifth in the G1 Coolmore Classic behind Lazzura (Snitzel). Arctic Glamour (Frosted {USA}) also ties into that formline after finishing second in the same race.
For those looking wider, Modella (Castelvecchio) is the wildcard - the lowest rated runner but coming off a dominant Benchmark win at Rosehill that demands respect.
Gin Twist chases Group 3 success down the straight
There’s always a sense of unfinished business when a horse just misses a Golden Slipper start, and that’s the case for Gin Twist (Home Affairs), who instead heads to Flemington to chase Group 3 success down the straight.
Trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes were left frustrated after both Gin Twist and Medicinal (Brazen Beau) failed to make the final field, finishing as emergencies in a year where depth and prize money combined to shut the door.
"It's a shame we didn't get in," Ben Hayes told racingandsports.
Gin Twist | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
"You win a stakes race, and you normally get in, but this year it was just so open.
"They were taking their turns in winning and with the prize money so strong in New South Wales, we ended up just missing out."
Rather than wait on luck, the team kept Gin Twist in Melbourne, opting for a quieter lead-in with a jump-out at Flemington.
"We made the decision to not even send her up," Hayes said.
"It didn't look like she was any chance of getting a run, so we took the opportunity of giving her a jump-out at home instead."
Ben Hayes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
"She's had that experience down the straight and hopefully that will hold her in good stead on Saturday," Hayes said.
She shapes as the one to beat, but there’s depth again. Jadzia (Ole Kirk) brings strong form through the G3 Ottawa Stakes behind Medicinal (Brazen Beau), while Satono Glow (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) adds further intrigue after an impressive debut win at Warwick Farm.
It might not be the Slipper, but it’s a chance for Gin Twist to make a statement all the same; gain more prizemoney and blacktype, and perhaps show she belonged there in the first place.
