Eleonora ensures a trip to Sydney
Thursday’s Lowland Stakes at Hastings, won by the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Bonneval, threw up several genuine Oaks prospects as did the Sunline Vase at Ellerslie yesterday.
The same stable added stakes winner 15 for the season with Eleonora’s gutsy victory in the Group III race but the Makfi filly won’t be opposing her stablemate at Trentham.
The Lib Petagna and Dame Lowell Goddard-owned filly will be on plane to Sydney for the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 25.
The victory has likely sealed a bid for the Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick in early April, an event that part-owner Dame Lowell Goddard is keen to attend.
“Isn’t she wonderful, she’s just an absolute joy,” Dame Goddard said.
“She’s an absolute character. I believe the Australian Oaks is on the programme and if she’s there, I will be there.”
Danielle Johnson gave her a kind trip in the Sunline, sitting outside the leader Hot Saki.
Johnson bided her time before issuing a challenge one off the fence as the field straightened for the run home and shot to a narrow advantage. The challenges came thick and fast, firstly from second favourite Dreamcrafter who was bullocking through a narrow gap on the rail and out wide from a trio comprising Dame Margo Fonteyn, Veearma and Date Night.
Johnson won’t be aboard in Sydney with Damien Oliver at the top of Baker’s list to take the mount as the filly heads towards the AJC Oaks.
Oliver partnered Eleonora in a four-race Melbourne spring campaign which produced two wins and a Crown Oaks third.
Runner-up Dreamcrafter is no certainty for the NZ Oaks at Trentham but third placed Dame Margo Fonteyn is likely to be there.
‘‘She’s still a bit weak,’’ said Pam Gerrard who co-trains Dreamcrafter with Mike Moroney.