The VRC Oaks had not traditionally been a race on the radar for leading trainer Chris Waller.
It was only last year that Waller finally presented his inaugural runner in the esteemed Classic, a contest that traces its origins back to 1861, the same year the Melbourne Cup was first contested.
This significant race for three-year-old fillies spans a demanding 2500 metres and typically occurs early in the racing season for this age group.
Last year, Waller’s charge The Pearls secured a commendable second place behind Strictly Business, though the filly has not been seen on the track since that performance.
Waller is now preparing to field two contenders in this year’s Group 1 event at Flemington, scheduled for Thursday week. However, prior to that, both fillies will compete in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington this Saturday.
The Wakeful Stakes is widely regarded as the customary preparatory race for the Oaks, and Waller has entered three fillies for this event: De Armas, Your Colour, and Tharwa.
It is the latter two, Your Colour and Tharwa, that Waller intends to advance to the Oaks campaign.
“Your Colour ran second last start, and Tharwa ran fourth in the same race,” Waller commented. “I can’t split them and if anything, Tharwa is one to watch.”
“They both drew wide at Caulfield and Tharwa had to come around them and made a lot of ground but was still strong on the line. They’re two exciting fillies heading towards an Oaks while De Armas, she’s already Group 1 placed, but we might pull up after Saturday.”
Waller elaborated that The Pearls, alongside Your Colour and Tharwa, represented the ideal calibre of fillies suited for the Oaks challenge.
“We brought the right horse for it,” Waller stated regarding his initial Oaks runner last year. “These two fillies are well prepared and we’re not rushing them into the race.”
“They’ve had the run at 2000 metres in the Ethereal last start, and I think that’s important, plus they have the pedigrees to suggest they can get 2500 metres on Oaks Day.”
For those keen to back a contender, the Australian betting sites offer competitive racing odds.
