Ballet Suite Oueensland Oaks Bound after Princess Stakes win

Chris Waller’s filly Ballet Suite appreciated a better racing surface today at Doomben and is now headed towards the Queensland Oaks after a dogged win in the Listed $100,000 City Property Services Princess Stakes (2000m).

Ballet Suite is headed towards the Queensland Oaks after winning the Princess Stakes at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Ballet Suite is headed towards the Queensland Oaks after winning the Princess Stakes at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Ballet Suite was having her first run since running eighth to Gust Of Wind in the Group 1 $1m Seven News Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on April 11 on a wet track.

Waller said that Ballet Suite was better suited back on a firmer surface today and he hoping the track remains good leading into the Group 1 $500,000 Treasury Casino & Hotel Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Doomben on May 30.

“She doesn’t handle wet tracks,” Waller said of Ballet Suite’s Australian Oaks run.

“That was exceptionally wet that day. No problem on a soft track but when it is getting really deep and heavy, she is not at home at all.”

Waller said there is plenty of improvement to be made for Ballet Suite following her win on a track that was rated a soft 5 today.

“It was the right race for her today,” Waller said.

“She is a really good filly, a high class filly and we will see improvement off that.”

Winning rider Kerrin McEvoy settled Ballet Suite just worst that midfield in the run out of the straight the first time and down the back before making his move at the 800m.

McEvoy had the $2.80 favourite attacking the leaders on the home before digging in for a fight with the second fancy Bohemian Lily ($3.70) for most of the way down the straight before getting the upper hand close to the finish to score a neck win over the Gai Waterhouse trained filly.

Third placegetter Zarzali ($13) also put in a good Queensland Oaks trial coming from last at the 1000m to be doing her best work at the finish.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.