James McDonald’s positive input has boosted the Chris Waller Racing squad as the filly Ohope Wins aims to overcome her most recent setback and annex the Australian Oaks to her New Zealand classic conquest.
At short odds in her local debut during the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), Ohope Wins was tipped to excel over rivals notwithstanding a five-week break and 400m drop in distance.
She was prominent entering the straight but couldn’t bridge the gap to the pacesetters, settling for fourth amid widespread disappointment.
Assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth from Waller expects a stronger showing in Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick.
“James (McDonald) galloped her (on Tuesday) morning and said she feels more switched on, like a better horse today than when he rode her in the race,” Duckworth said.
“I don’t know whether it’s a case of the way we train, or things change, but up to the distance I think she will justify the hype she had prior to her run in the Vinery, because they all thought she was just about unbeatable.”
Punters continue to back the filly strongly, installing Ohope Wins as the $2.40 top pick over Saturday’s Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) winner Profoundly at $3.50.
Ohope Wins’ barnmate Soverato was second in the Adrian Knox Stakes and joins the fray in the classic.
Soverato began her campaign with success at Canterbury and has been reliable since, as McDonald remains on Ohope Wins while pushing her connections toward The Championships’ second day.
“James rode her on Saturday, and he said, ‘you’ve got to back her up. She is ready to peak’,” Duckworth said.
“The distance is obviously a question mark, because she hasn’t been over it yet, but there is nothing to say she won’t handle it.”
Kerrin McEvoy was aboard for Soverato’s sound fourth placing in the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) two starts prior and reconnects from draw four at Randwick.
The trainer Waller has triumphed in the Australian Oaks four times, most recently courtesy of Hungry Heart in 2021.
Discover premier betting sites with the keenest markets for the Australian Oaks race.
