Vinery Stud Stakes winner Fenway has drawn just worst than midfield at barrier eight in the Group 1 $1m ATC Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on the second day of ‘The Championships’ on Saturday.
Fenway, red, white cap, has drawn barrier eight in the ATC Oaks at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Fenway forced herself into contention for the ATC Oaks with an upset win over the short priced favourite First Seal in the Group 1 $400,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 28.
The Lee and Shannon Hope trained filly was strong at the end of the 2000m and will be stepping up the 2400m for the first time in the ATC Oaks.
New Zealand Oaks winner Savaria has drawn one from the outside at twelve in the thirteen horse field and has only gained a start after connections paid the $22,000 late entry fee.
Awapuni trainer Roydon Bergerson was set to bypass the Sydney Autumn Carnival and prepare Savaria for the Spring but after the Savabeel filly pulled up so well after winning the Group 1 NZ$300,000 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 14, he decided to head across the Tasman now.
“She has pulled up very well,” Bergerson told Sky Racing HQ.
“Why she was not in the field originally was because we thought we would turn her out after the Oaks and bring her back for the spring, but she has come through the run really well and I said to the owners that if she continues to come through it well we would pay the late nom and go to Sydney.
“She has only had six lifetime starts and she has just thrived on racing, she has got better and better every start.”
The Bjorn Baker trained Candelara looks set to back up this week after winning the Group 3 $200,000 TAB Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Monday at the postponed first day of ‘The Championships’.
Hugh Bowman rode the Real Saga filly to victory over Rustic Melody on Monday and will be in the saddle again in the ATC Oaks and will jump from gate two.
Rustic Meldoy also looks set to go around again this weekend and has Brenton Avdulla sticking with her from barrier ten.
Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller will saddle up three fillies in the ATC Oaks and has stuck with the international jockeys for two of them.
Hong Kong’s leading rider Joao Moreira will ride Winx (barrier 1), taking over from Tommy Berry who rode the Street Cry filly into fifth place behind Fenway in the Vinery Stud Stakes and top English rider Ryan Moore will be aboard Ballet Suite (13) who ran fourth in the Vinery Stud Stakes.
Waller’s third runner is Wine Tales who came up with barrier five.
Thunder Lady with Zac Purton from barrier eleven will appreciate the step up to 2400m following her second to Set Square in the Group 1 $1m Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington during the 2014 Melbourne Spring Carnival.
The John Sargent trained filly has shown steady improvement throughout the Sydney Autumn Carnival and made up plenty of ground at the end of the 2000m when third to Fenway in the Vinery Stud Stakes.
Sargent will also saddle up Gust Of Wind who is backing up after running fourth to Candelara in the Adrian Knox.
The Darci Brahma filly has drawn barrier seven with Tye Angland taking over from Zac Purton while Craig Williams is sticking with the Bart and James Cummings trained filly Zarzali who is also backing up after a fourth in the Adrian Knox.
