Chris Waller has dubbed this year’s Australian Oaks a true showdown between racing royalty, with elite fillies from both Australia and New Zealand set to square off at Randwick.
While Aeliana, his impressive Australian Derby winner, will not return this week, Waller will saddle up two strong contenders—Leica Lucy and Belle Detelle—in Saturday’s 2400m feature.
They’ll face tough opposition in the form of Treasurethe Moment, trained by Matt Laurie and unbeaten in her last seven starts, including the VRC Oaks.
Waller believes Leica Lucy deserves her shot after winning six of her seven races, most recently taking out the New Zealand Oaks (2400m).
“It’s the New Zealand queen running against the Australian queen, without Aeliana. It’s a good race,” Waller said on his weekly video update.
Treasurethe Moment leads the betting as a heavy favourite, with Leica Lucy next in line at $5.
Leica Lucy, previously trained by Robbie Patterson, has been in work since November. Waller acknowledged that bringing her to peak condition one more time would be a test.
“It is never easy getting these New Zealand horses towards the end of their campaign,” he said.
“New Zealand is a little bit different. They don’t have a gap like we do. They have more late-spring racing, summer racing and then the autumn racing is almost non-existent.
“We have done the best we can to keep her ticking over, nothing special. She has put on a bit of weight since arriving and James McDonald rides. There is a lot in her favour.”
Only two fillies in the past 10 years—Pennyweka and Bonneval—have completed the New Zealand and Australian Oaks double.
Meanwhile, Waller’s second runner Belle Detelle, a close relation to champion Verry Elleegant, will back up after her win in the Adrian Knox Stakes and is expected to be in the mix.
Verry Elleegant herself claimed the Australian Oaks in 2019, and Waller is hopeful Belle Detelle can follow in her footsteps.
Aeliana, who was being considered for the Oaks, will now be spelled with her spring campaign the new priority.