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Source: racenet.com.au
Master trainer Chris Waller has landed his 199th Group 1 victory in Saturday’s Australasian Oaks at Morphettville, as legendary jockey James McDonald secured his first Group 1 win in South Australia.
Jumping from barrier 13, Panova settled back in the field before coming with a huge run at the 550m as McDonald set the filly alight.
Panova loomed large at the 400m, hitting the lead at the 250m as McDonald kicked clear aboard the filly, denying hometown hope Mating Call, who was given a beautiful run by jockey Jamie Melham and ran second.
Waller was overcome with emotion post-race, soaking in an 199th Group 1 win on Anzac Day.
“I haven’t thought about it too much (199 Group 1s), it’s just part of another day, another week, and great Australian racing,” Waller said.
“It’s a privilege to be here, first and foremost, for myself and James, it’s very humbling to see the way James is received here.
“To win a Group 1 race is pretty special (and) Anzac Day … I’m getting emotional”
Panova saluted at $12 with Sportsbet, Paltrow Miss was impressive for third, while race favourite Getta Good Feeling ($2.60) ran on solidly for fourth.
“She (Panova) took awhile to get to full fitness, we’ve just been behind the mark with each run, but she showed us enough last start, that she’s pretty close to being back to her best – and she was back today,” he said.
“She’s very adaptable, a talented horse, we started a long way behind the Eight ball, she’s caught up now and she’ll train on from it.
“We might even get to the Queensland Oaks.”
The Oaks capped a brilliant hour for McDonald, the World’s Best Jockey snared a maiden Adelaide win in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes aboard Tycoon Star, before booting home Panova in the $1m Oaks (2000m).
“It’s an honour to be here, you guys put on a great show and it’s good racing,” McDonald said.
“To win one of the nice Oaks, I enjoy winning classics, they are one of my favourites – rich with history – and this race is no different.
“(The race) was working out very well, once she landed in that spot she was going to be very hard to beat, I had a Getta Good Feeling only two lengths in front of me, I had Salty Pearl one length in front of me.
“If I was travelling good enough, they weren’t coming out, it worked out well.”