Site crafted and built by Kick Collective
Champion trainer Chris Waller and jockey Hugh Bowman are eyeing another Queensland Oaks trophy after progressive filly Dawn Wall scored an emphatic win in the Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m).
Two years ago, wonder mare Winx captured her first Group One win in the Queensland Oaks, when it was held at Doomben during the Eagle Farm track renovation and has established an aura of invincibility ever since.
Bowman believes Dawn Wall is an ideal type for the Oaks.
“She gives herself every chance to run a trip the way she settles so well in a race,” Bowman said.
“Being on top of the ground worked in her favour and we were aided by a super run all the way.
“I picked up when I wanted to pick up and she ticked every box that she had to today.”
Waller is on holiday in the US, where he has been enjoying the hospitality of legendary trainer Bob Baffert before Sunday’s Kentucky Derby.
Stable representative Sebastian Hutch said Waller elected to target the Queensland carnival after a prolonged wet spell interrupted her ATC Oaks campaign.
“When she struggled in the heavy ground in the Vinery Stakes at Rosehill, Chris made the decision to pull up stumps and aim this way,” Hutch said.
Dawn Wall, the $3.80 equal favourite, enjoyed the run of the race in fourth position on Saturday before Bowman brought her with a well-timed run in the straight to score by 1-1/4 lengths from The Pinnacle ($7.00).
Equal favourite Candika was third.
Co-trainer Paul Snowden said The Pinnacle was likely to clash again with Dawn Wall in the Group Two The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on May 20.
“On that run you’d probably have to look at The Roses but whether we keep her going for the Oaks hasn’t been decided yet,” he said. – AAP Racing