The CCA Oaks – Grade I (P1)
1 1/8 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $300.000 Filly 3 Year Olds.
The rains came and this race changed its complexion completely. Here is how the race went but I would love to see it re run on fast ground.
1st Behrens Bride, trained by Big Jd Racing
Broke well and was then taken back into the pack whilst the outside speed boost set up a speed dual up front. She then took up the ideal place behind the three leaders. With three to run and round the final bend she was moved four wide round the leaders and began to make ominous strides towards the lead. She took a while to get through the slop but asserted in the home stretch eventually holding the late challengers with a little in hand. This was a huge grade one double after she took the Mother Goose last month and it just remains to be seen whether she can repeat this type of form on a better surface.
2nd Love Me Do, trained by Maverick Racing
Anchored back but still a bit wide through turn one she continued wide through the turn and into the back straight. She eventually found the rail but was soon pulled wide again into the final turn to try and get round the field and make her challenge. All this gave her six lengths to make up with three to run. Down the stretch she really dug deep and was taking ground off the winner all the way to the line. Another who loved the track conditions she got closer to the Mother Goose winner today but just like in that race she gave the winner a bit too much of a lead.
3rd Distant Cousin, trained by D J C Racing Stables
Used the outside speed push and was rushed up into the lead but carried wide through the first corner, once there her jokey put the brakes on and she was settled into a close stalk down the back stretch. Into the home turn she was asked to go again and she began to assert through the centre of her two rivals. She dug deep down the stretch but looked tired as the first two went by her and in the end just held on to dead heat for third. I think this was a good run from a filly who was OK with the going and she showed she can be competitive at all grades today.
3rd Google Maps, trained by Aml Racing
Lost the speed dual after the outside speed push and was hung out widest of all into turn one, She was asked again through the turn to find the lead but had to settle for a three wide stalk into the back stretch. As they rounded the home turn she was again asked for more and she continued wide through the turn but held her ground right on the front end. Down the stretch she kept on very gamely to come back again to share third but all her hard work had taken its toll and she was no match for the first two. I always worried that the speed push would be her undoing and she had a horrible trip today on ground that didn’t suit her. All in all this was a good performance.
5th Sweep The Ash
Broke into midpack and pretty much stayed there. She did make up some good ground in the stretch but the sloppy going didn’t help and she just missed out on a cheque. This wasn’t a bad effort though and I will be looking forward to seeing how she does on a better track next time.
6th The Reaper
Taken forward she found s close stalk and the rail part way through turn one and was then asked to go to the front. Once there she struggled to keep the lead and was never left alone and never really looked comfortable. As they hit the home turn she looked in trouble and faded badly to be well beaten. This clearly wasn’t the filly that won the BC Juvenile and the KYO so I think it’s time her trainer started checking that wet ground box.
7th T S Razor
Started just OK and was taken back into the chasing pack through turn one. She held a good position throughout the race but found nothing when put under pressure and just whacked away. There are three trainers with a smile on their face after this run but I reckon the new owner may take her home and think about a switch to sprinting or turf before hauling up the white flag.
8th Lingerie Fantasy
Was taken way back from the gate either to find the rail from a widish draw or to negate the outside speed push. Either way she was never in the race and was beaten a long way in last. This was a terrible run and I think we can safely say that she hates a wet track.
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
