Suavito Draws Wide In Australian Oaks Barrier Draw

Suavito did not fare well in the 2014 Australian Oaks barrier draw, but trainer Nigel Blackiston remains confident that the talented filly will run well in the Group 1 event at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Suavito will jump from barrier 15 in the 2014 Australian Oaks at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Suavito will jump from barrier 15 in the 2014 Australian Oaks at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Suavito had no luck in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on April 5, after drawing an outside barrier, and connections did not have a chance of fortune this afternoon; with the Thorn Park filly to jump from the outside of the Australian Oaks field this weekend.

Blackiston told Racing Ahead that he was pleased with the performance of Suavito from the wide barrier draw in the Vinery Stud Stakes and he is happy with the condition of the three-year-old heading into the $1 million race.

“I am extremely pleased with her,” Blackiston said.

“Rosehill wasn’t run to suit; we drew wide and got back and they absolutely crawled up front.

“She did make very good steady good ground in the finish.

“The winner and the second horse were well clear, but the rest of them were in a tight bunch and she was in that tight bunch.

“Her run was as good as Zanbagh’s and I’m very happy with the way that she handled the conditions.

“I am pleased heading towards Saturday.”

Like the majority of trainers with horses running in The Championships on Saturday, Blackiston is hoping that the condition of the Royal Randwick track will improve but he does not believe a heavy track would end the winning chances of Suavito in the Australian Oaks.

Suavito appeared to handle the heavy conditions in the Vinery Stud Stakes and according to Blackiston worked strongly on a rain affected surface this morning.

“Dead to slow would be lovely, but she did handle the heavy going at Rosehill well,” Blackiston said.

“On the heavy ground on the Kensington track this morning her work was excellent.

“She worked over a mile and worked home over the last 600.

“I was pleased with what she did in those sort of conditions.”

Blackiston is chasing his first win at Group 1 level since Littorio took out the 2010 edition of The BMW (2400m) and he also has Desert Jeuney and Let’s Make Adeal in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m).

Suavito is currently available at Australian Oaks odds of $11, while Let’s Make Adeal ($26) and Desert Jeuney ($31) are both priced at lengthy odds to take out the Sydney Cup.

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.