PURPLE SCORES COMFORTABLE WIN IN THE QUEENSLAND OAKS

By Graham Potter | Monday, June 1, 2009

Queensland Oaks (Group 1 - 3yo Fillies) - 2400m. Time: 2.34.32.
Track - Slow 6. Rail - True.
1 Purple; 2 Nothin' Leica Cat; 3 Walk In The Park

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Peter Snowden: “That’s the sixth Group 1 win since we took over the Darley operation just over twelve months ago.

“She’s been ultra consistent all the way through. They talk about how good she is as a wet-tracker, but her run last time was terrific, you know, and that was on a good track. I’m just really pumped. That was great. She’s has won two Group 1’s this prep and I’m very proud of her.

“Given cover, I wasn’t worried about the distance. I just felt that in the AJC Oaks, I just thought she did a bit too much. Although not going hard, the first time over a mile-and-a-half is always difficult. She did all the donkey work. But today, we always had in our mind to sit off something ... to give her a breather and she was fine.

“You know, quite often we say Oaks fillies and Derby colts become Caulfield Cup winners. Well they don’t ... not very many of them do. Quite honestly, there is a huge jump from Three-Year-Olds to Open company. She’ll win her fair share of races for sure if I place her right. She won’t be going to the Derby next week. She has done her job.

“It’s a race we picked out in November actually. We targeted the Queensland Oaks then, only because Samantha Miss was around. When she (Samantha Miss) went amiss it sort of quickened things up a bit, but I was very mindful how many runs she had before she got here. It was only her sixth run today this prep, so it was no afterthought. We were always coming here to win this race.

“The staff up here has done a fantastic job. They’ve been on their own for the last month. I can’t say enough about them.”

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy: “It worked out well. She obviously ran really well last time. Today we were drawn well and got into one off the fence, sitting fourth. It was the perfect spot. It was a nice pace and I was just able to cruise into in whenever I wanted. She just loves the wet ground. I was smoking the pipe coming to the turn. She was strong at the end which was the only query, you know. I was very confident in the run home. It turned out terrific today.

“It’s well done to the team, getting an Oaks win for her. She’s done a top job. She won a Group 1 in Sydney during the Autumn and has now won here during the Winter Carnival. She won at Rosehill and then we led in the AJC Oaks (at Randwick) which, in hindsight probably wasn’t the best thing. That is why we took a sit today. She is very honest and genuine. So it’s fantastic.

“That’s my second Group 1 in Brisbane. My first was with Juanmo for Alan Bailey. That was some time ago (in the TJ Smith in 2001).”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Purple): 5.00 out to 5.50 in to 4.60.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 800m Ekstreme improved up onto the heels of Returntosender and had to be checked.

Near the 600m Juice (M. Rodd) shifted out around the heels of La Belle Luisa (D. Griffin) to improve resulting in the tiring A Little Knowledge having to be checked when tightened between Juice and Can’t Keeper Down (C. Brown). At the 500m Ekstreme shifted out to improve resulting in the tiring A Little Knowledge having to be steadied. Leaving the 500m Think Money (M. Cahill) shifted out of its own accord and as a result had to be steadied from the heels of Juice.

Approaching the 400m Nothin’Leica Cat (D. Oliver) shifted out to improve resulting in La Bella Luisa having to be steadied. Juice which was following was also inconvenienced as a consequence. At the same stage Can’t Keeper Down shifted out and away from Nothin’ Leica Cat resulting in Returntosender having to be steadied from the heels of Can’t Keeper Down.

Can’t Keeper Down and Seesawing (S. Scriven) raced wide for the majority of the event.

When questioned regarding the tactics employed on Awesome Planet jockey J. Cassidy explained to stewards that he had intended to have the filly in a forward position however, he was unable to muster sufficient speed from the wide barrier and was subsequently caught extremely wide in the run to the first turn. J. Cassidy added that on the first turn Gracesynd, which was racing to the inside shifted out taking Awesome Planet wider again on the track. J. Cassidy explained that as a result he had no option but to restrain the filly to a rearward position. J. Cassidy further added that near the 1000m he had considered following Desire To win (C. Newitt) however, Desire To Win was not travelling well at that stage and therefore remained closer to the fence. Trainer G. Rogerson stated that in his opinion J. Cassidy had no other option than to employ the tactics he had on this occasion from the wide barrier. He further added that in his opinion Awesome Planet was not entirely comfortable on the rain affected surface.

When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Ekstreme jockey O. Bosson stated that the filly over-raced in the early stages and settled well midfield however, the horse lost momentum when having to be checked off the heels of Returntosender leaving the 800m. He added the horse from that point only finished the race off fairly.

A post race veterinary examination of Juice failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.