Australasian Oaks 2015: Fitness No Concern For Fenway

Fenway has not had a race start since she scored an upset win in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 28, but co-trainer Shannon Hope is confident that fitness is not an issue for the talented filly heading into the 2015 Australasian Oaks.

Fenway will have the chance to record a second straight win at Group 1 level in the 2015 Australasian Oaks. Photo by: Steve Hart

Fenway will have the chance to record a second straight win at Group 1 level in the 2015 Australasian Oaks. Photo by: Steve Hart

Fenway started her autumn preparation with credible performances in the Group 3 The Vanity (1400m) at Flemington on February 21 and the Group 3 Matron Stakes (1600m) at the same venue on March 14 before she beat First Seal to score the biggest win of her racing career to date in the Vinery Stud Stakes.

The High Chaparral filly was well-backed in the lead-up to the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 11, but she was scratched from the race after developing a foot abscess.

Hope told Sky Racing HQ that Fenway had now fully recovered from the minor hoof issue and he said that he is thrilled with the condition of the three-year-old heading into the 2015 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville this weekend.

“Everything seems to be really good,” Hope said.

“It just took its time for the abscess to form and it has finally busted and we seem to be on track for Saturday.

“We are very fortunate that both fillies have travelled over really good, they have had a day to settle in and Morphettville gave us permission to work on the grass on Tuesday and they worked really good and have come through it really well.

“Fitness is the least of her worries and she just needs a bit of luck in running.

“We have been able to keep the work up to her to the degree that we needed to and she has had a very good foundation leading into the pre.

“In total she has missed two days’ work and she hasn’t missed a beat since.”

Fenway was one of the big winners of the 2015 Australasian Oaks barrier draw that was conducted yesterday and he will jump from barrier six in the Group 1 event this weekend.

The three-year-old has shown a degree of tactical versatility during her racing career to date and Hope said that he is happy to leave the riding instructions up to his step-brother Blake Shinn.

“It is quite good,” Hope said of Fenway’s Australasian Oaks barrier draw.

“It gives you options as to where you are going to be in the run and I will leave that up to Blake and we will go from there.”

Fenway is currently available at 2015 Australasian Oaks odds of $4.80 with Ladbrokes and is currently on the second line of betting behind Fontein Ruby ($3.40).

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.