Rising Romance To Press On To Australian Oaks

Rising Romance will press on to the 2014 Australian Oaks at Royal Randwick next Saturday after working home to strongly to finish fourth in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on April 5.

Lucia Valentina stamped herself as the favourite for the 2014 Australia Oaks with an impressive win in the Vinery Stud Stakes.

Lucia Valentina stamped herself as the favourite for the 2014 Australia Oaks with an impressive win in the Vinery Stud Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart

Rising Romance was well-backed in the lead-up to her Australian racing debut, but had no luck during the running of the race, after being shuffled towards the tail of the field, and was blocked for a run at the 300 metre mark.

Trainer Donna Logan told the New Zealand Racing Desk that everything did not go to plan with Rising Romance in the Vinery Stud Stakes, but said she was happy with the effort of the Ekraar filly and believes she is on track for the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 19.

“It was a very good performance considering it had been five weeks between runs for her,” Logan said.

“Most importantly she has come through the race well; she has pulled up a real treat.

“We didn’t want to get that far back in the field, but as James said he was dictated to and he had to go around them and the winner came up the inside.

James (McDonald) has had a ride on her now so it’s onwards and upwards to her grand final in two weeks’ time.

“The extra distance will play right into her favour and James said bring it on, he couldn’t have been any happier with her and neither could I.”

Another filly that worked home strongly in the final stages of the Vinery Stud Stakes was fifth placegetter Zanbagh and she also remains on track to contest the Australian Oaks next weekend.

Trainer Guy Walter was satisfied with the performance of Zanbagh and believes that will produce a better effort when she steps up to 2400 metres in the Group 1 event.

“It was quiet a good run from an Oaks point of view,” Walter told RSN.

“Blake said that her wheels were spinning a little bit in the ground, but she still managed to make up good ground in the last 100 metres.

“I think the 2400 at Randwick will really suit her and I think she has a lot of potential.

“She has shown she has a lot of stamina and to have the brilliance to win a Keith Nolan, I am hoping that she can be a really good class stayer later on.”

Zanbagh ($6) is currently on the third line of 2014 Australian Oaks betting markets; with Vinery Stud Stakes winner Lucia Valentina ($3) a narrow favourite from runner-up Solicit ($4.60).

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.