Senses looks for her first classic success

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Ever since she graced the track as a youngster last July, harness racing pundits have keenly followed Senses (American Ideal), the half sister to two of the most famous horses currently racing in Australia in Leap To Fame and Swayzee.

Renowned trainer David Thorn is now ready to give his star filly the opportunity to match it in the big time when she steps out this Saturday night in the third heat of the New South Wales Success Stud Oaks.

Thorn commented

Yes this is definitely a step in grade so we’ll give her time. We’ve wanted to look after her and her owners (Mitch Lenaghen and Stuart Doughty) have been very patient. After she won her last start at Menangle she wasn’t 100 percent, she had a few issues so we eased up on her as a result of muscle soreness.

We were after the Golden Easter Egg but that was a bit soon. So we gave her a trial.

That trial a week ago indicated that Senses was certainly back running 1.52.1 and winning with consummate ease.

She has grown a bit when she come back but she’s not a big filly. Obviously she’s very well bred.

As I said her owners are more patient than me. We didn’t want to go to Bathurst. So we’ve targeted a few races and not overrace her as a three year old. Let’s see her get through the Oaks, then probably if she measures up to the Breeders Challenge later in the year.

She certainly won’t be overraced. She’s got better and better as she ages just like Leap to Fame and Swayzee. But at this stage she’s got really good speed as well.

Senses is ideally drawn in two. But she will face her toughest task when she meets the brilliant Victorian filly Arrhythmia who is drawn out in nine and the Queenslander Ima Booty Shaker in ten. Throw in the other Victorian filly Rocknroll Willow and this makes for what will be a keenly contested heat.

Senses will be driven by Will Rixon who normally pilots the filly. He will also drive handy Queensland filly Stripes in the first heat, while he then takes the drive on outstanding filly Ark Sea in the Second Heat.

This year for the first time the Oaks heats and Final will be run over 1609 metres. The move has divided many owners and trainers and many have expressed their preference for the original 2300 metre distance.

Thorn made the point

There is some justification that 2300 metre events can be rather boring. However when you have a strong field lined up over that distance that can make up for a really good and competitive event where you can see many moves in the race.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink

This content was first released to The Insider subscribers. Don’t wait days for the edge on the latest news. Get our previews, selections, and insights early by joining our free newsletter The Insider.