Progressive filly Ballet Suite could head to the 2015 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on March 28 after she recorded a strong win in the Place Multi Handicap at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
Chris Waller believes that Ballet Suite is capable of winning the 2015 Australian Oaks during The Championships. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Ballet Suite made her racing debut under the care of Mark Kavanagh last year and she performed well in two maidens at Sale and Seymour respectively before she scored a maiden race win at Bendigo on September 24.
The High Chaparral filly was transferred to the care of Chris Waller at the end of her spring campaign and was included in the nominations for the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 11 before she recorded her maiden race win for her new stable in the Colin Glover Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick on February 18.
Ballet Suite was taking on the older horses in the Place Multi Handicap, but she proved far too good for her rivals and Waller told the media straight after the race that the three-year-old would now be set for her maiden race start at Group level in either the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) or the Group 2 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 4.
“The two options for her next start are the Vinery Stud Stakes or the Adrian Knox,” Waller said.
“Vinery Stud Stakes is two and a half weeks away and that would suit us better than going three weeks to the Adrian Knox.
“Either way it’s not a bad problem to have because she’s an exciting filly and a pleasure to train for such big supporters of racing in Coolmore.”
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy elected to settle Ballet Suite towards the tail of the field in the early stages of the Place Multi Handicap and she had plenty of work left to do at the 400, but she hit the line most impressively to indicate that she will have no problem running out a strong 2400 metres in the Australian Oaks.
McEvoy said after the race that he was most impressed with Ballet Suite and, like Waller, is confident that the promising filly can justify her place in a race like the Vinery Stud Stakes.
“She just couldn’t go with the early speed but I liked the way she kept responding,” McEvoy said.
“It was a performance that suggests she’ll like the step up in distance.
“Whether she goes to the Vinery Stud Stakes or the Adrian Knox I think she could be competitive.”
Ballet Suite is currently available at 2015 Australian Oaks odds of $11 with Ladbrokes and is on the fourth line of betting behind First Seal ($5), Set Square ($5) and Adrift ($9).
