Chris Waller will delay making a final call on his runners for the ATC Australian Oaks until Tuesday morning, though it’s looking unlikely that ATC Derby star Aeliana will line up in the Group 1 event over 2400 metres.
Speaking from the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale on Monday, Waller said the Castelvecchio filly had recovered well from her dominant 5-1/4 length Derby win, but hinted there were broader considerations in play.
While her inclusion would set up a much-anticipated showdown with Treasurethe Moment and bolster her chances for Champion 3YO Filly honours, Waller is mindful of her long-term potential.
“Aeliana has had a pretty busy three-year-old year and she wasn’t a big, robust filly in the spring, and did an amazing job, and she’s not much bigger now, but she will be bigger and stronger in the spring as a four-year-old,” Waller said.
“I want to have a look at the ratings of the race, how she lines up against the favourite and at what cost.
“She’s got nothing more to prove really, other than the honours of being the 3YO Filly of the Year if she was to beat Treasurethe Moment.
“I’m not really one to be chasing those types of things when you can get it further down the track.”
Aeliana’s historic ATC Derby win has seen her rise to the top of Caulfield Cup markets and made her a strong Melbourne Cup contender.
Waller’s impressive Randwick Saturday wasn’t limited to Aeliana. Belle Detelle took out the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m), but her campaign may also divert northward.
“I think she’s on an upward spiral and I loved the way she finished off over 2000 metres the other day,” Waller said of the Zed filly, closely related to his Melbourne Cup heroine, Verry Elleegant.
“I have great confidence that she’ll get a strong 2400 metres and improve, but it’s a long way to go when you’re taking on a champion filly, so I’m leaning towards backing off and going to Queensland.”
The $700,000 Group 1 Queensland Oaks will be held at Eagle Farm on June 7.
Waller’s likely Australian Oaks starter is Leica Lucy, a last-start winner of the New Zealand Oaks, who has been in his care since her March 22 triumph.
“She needs to convince me that she’s working well enough because she’s had a long prep as well,” he said.
