The Chris Waller Racing operation is encouraged by comments from top jockey James McDonald as Ohope Wins looks to recover from a recent loss and claim the Australian Oaks to follow her New Zealand classic victory.
She went off as a strong favourite in her Australian bow in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), with many anticipating she would dominate despite a five-week gap and a 400m shorter trip.
Although she loomed at the top of the straight, Ohope Wins couldn’t catch the frontrunners, ending up fourth, a letdown given the high hopes.
Charlie Duckworth, assistant to Waller, believes things will differ in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick this Saturday.
“James (McDonald) galloped her (on Tuesday) morning and said she feels more switched on, like a better horse today than when he rode her in the race,” Duckworth said.
“I don’t know whether it’s a case of the way we train, or things change, but up to the distance I think she will justify the hype she had prior to her run in the Vinery, because they all thought she was just about unbeatable.”
Bettors remain confident in the filly’s comeback, with Ohope Wins at $2.40 favouritism ahead of Profoundly, who took out the Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) on Saturday, at $3.50.
Stablemate Soverato to Ohope Wins came second in the Adrian Knox Stakes and is set to run again in the feature race.
Having kicked off her campaign with a win at Canterbury, Soverato has shown steady form, and although McDonald stays aboard Ohope Wins, he has urged her team to proceed to the second day of The Championships.
“James rode her on Saturday, and he said, ‘you’ve got to back her up. She is ready to peak’,” Duckworth said.
“The distance is obviously a question mark, because she hasn’t been over it yet, but there is nothing to say she won’t handle it.”
Kerrin McEvoy, who rode Soverato to a respectable fourth in the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) a couple of outings back, links up with her again from gate four at Randwick.
Waller boasts four Australian Oaks victories, the latest with Hungry Heart in 2021.
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