Boilover in the Queensland Oaks. Taking the victory was Winning Ways at $21, quickly followed by Dawson Diva and Lady Cuvee: both at $151! Consequently the exotics were HUGE. The trifecta paid over $180k on UBet; though 'only' $10k in NSW. The first four were all over the $100k mark across all pools.

Winning Ways wasn't that bad of a prospect. She had won 3 of her last 4, though finished midfield in The Roses - her immediately preceding race - which seemed to turn people off. Per the race notes, she got way too far back in that run from a wide draw, running on comfortably but left with too much to do.

It seems silly to say given that she won, but Winning Ways clearly had the best run today. The leading four in running (which included race favourite Princess Jenni) took the field along at a fast clip, with Winning Ways a small break behind. Finishers in second through fifth were all running towards the rear and gobbled up a tired field, though Winning Ways was able to hold them all off.

It was an emotional win, given that her owner had died the preceding week. After the race her trainer Garry Newham said: "This is the best filly I have ever had my hands on. She could be a Caulfield Cup horse". Following the race though, stewards reported she had bled and is banned from racing for three months - likely she was to spell anyway. Hopefully she can come back fit and healthy for a Spring campaign.

So: Winning Ways, Dawson Diva and Lady Cuvee have all now passed the first ballot clause of the Melbourne Cup. The latter pairing will likely have to win a few more qualifying races to amass enough eligible prizemoney to threaten making the final field. You could read into the trainer's statement somewhat that there are queries at the Cup distance.

Watch the full race here: https://www.racingqueensland.com.au...20190309/race/6


The Coronation Cup has been run in the UK with Defoe taking out a comfortable 0.5L win ahead of Kew Gardens. They broke away from the rest of the field, putting on an additional 5 lengths. The race was one of the fastest of latter years: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYRP4st_-Cw

Leading into the race Defoe had an Official Handicap Rating (from Irish authorities) of 115, whereas Kew Gardens (from British authorities) was 120. They were at level weights here and Kew Gardens was said to be targeting this race since the start of the season. So a very encouraging performance by Defoe (who also beat the 117-rated Marmelo by 9 lengths). Would likely receive a very challenging handicap for the Melbourne Cup now and one could think it pretty unlikely that either of Defoe or Kew Gardens will try their luck in Australia.


The field is set for the Grand Prix de Chantilly:
Listen In
Aspetar
Gyllen
Silverware
Petit Fils
Folamour
Ziyad

Aspetar is owned by Sheikh Fahad al Thani (of Qatar Bloodstock), who won the 2011 Melbourne Cup with Dunaden, trained by Roger Charlton who had Quest For More in the 2015 Cup and failed to qualify with Withhold last year.

Gyllen is a Godolphin runner trained by Andre Fabre, who brought Vadamos to Australia in 2016 (finishing 4th in both the Cox Plate and Mackinnon Stakes).

Both Folamour and Ziyad are owned by Wertheimer & Frere, a racing and breeding operation. They bred Americain and Dunaden, amongst others, but I'm not sure they have brought any runners out here themselves.

Aspetar looks a particularly interesting candidate: resuming in April over a Group 3 2400m, he finished in 2nd place, 1 length behind Marmelo and 3 lengths ahead of Defoe at level weights. Didn't do so well in his next, but was said not to handle the soft conditions. 2w-3p from 7 starts. Looks like he should be able to handle further than 2400m.