Duchess Maria and Our Col ready for Oaks
Touted as one of the races of the season, the much anticipated Yabby Dam Farms New Zealand Trotting Oaks will light up Addington just after 8.00pm tomorrow night.
Southern filly Duchess Maria (Father Patrick) has stayed close to home this campaign with trainer Nathan Williamson preferring to run her off handicap races over 2700 metres.
Duchess Maria has drawn seven in the mobile feature with only Imperious Girl drawn to her outside.
“She seems well but it won’t be easy from her draw. You would have liked to have drawn two or three where she could use her good gate speed and get to a nice position. She’s very adaptable, which is one of her strengths,” said Williamson.
There are only seven runners in this years Oaks which according to Williamson will help.
“It means you don’t have to go round fourteen others. It’ll be an interesting race but one we’re looking forward to.”
Northern filly Our Col (Father Patrick) trained by Tony Herlihy will be one of Duchess Maria’s main rivals.
“She was a filly that was always going to get stronger. She’s strengthened up a lot and has done everything right so far, but this will be her biggest test. In saying that I’m happy with everything so far,” Herlihy said.
For the first time the Oaks will be held over the staying distance of 2600 metres.
“She’s always finished her races off well over shorter distances, but it depends on the tempo of the race and what happens. It’s the first time for most of them apart from Nathan’s filly who’s been over 2700 metres.”
Of the three favourites Our Col has come up with the best draw.
“It’s a good draw from the 2600 but it depends on how everyone else comes out. She can hold her own out the gate so we’ll just have to wait and see what happens early.”
With only eight starters the race could be tactical.
“I’m used to them, coming from Auckland (laughter).”
And the main dangers?
“You have to think the two Williamson runners, Nathan’s good filly and Phil’ s really good filly Becky’s Girl. I’ve watched Craig Ferguson’s filly (Imperious Girl) go some really good races too. When she does things right she’s a very strong filly. I’m not sure about the Aussie filly and how strong she is but they won’t bring her over here for nothing.”
Becky’s Girl (Majestic Son) will carry plenty of support and gets a nice marble at three. She’s impressed in winning her last two starts. She beat Duchess Maria in the Three Year Old Fillies Classique at Addington and followed it up with a stunning win in the Hambletonion at Ashburton on Labour Day.
Imperious Girl (Imperial Count) has shown enough talent that providing she gets away, will be a player while Australian filly Raffie Jay (What The Hill) adds interest to the lineup. She was formerly trained in Southland by Brent McIntyre before being sold to the Chantel Turpin Queensland stable. Since she’s been in Australia she’s won five of her seven starts but hasn’t raced since 1st September. She’s been to three trials since then.
All eyes will be on this great crop of three year old trotting fillies tomorrow night with Group One glory on the line.
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink
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