Waller wins three Gr1s

The four-strong New Zealand contingent in the Australian Oaks couldn’t compete with ex-pat Kiwi Chris Waller at Randwick on Saturday. But they weren’t the only ones.

Waller won three Group I races, highlighted by Winx’s win in the rich Queen Elizabeth Stakes, on a dream day for the former Foxton trainer. He won the Oaks by a length with Fastnet Rock filly Unforgotten with a familiar face in the saddle – champion jockey Hugh Bowman.

Just over 30 minutes later, the pair combined to win the Group I Queen Elizabeth Stakes – the 25th consecutive victory for the wonder mare Winx. he best of the New Zealand runners in the Oaks was the Michael and Matt Pitman-trained Savvy Coup. The New Zealand Oaks winner finished fifth, five and a half lengths behind Unforgotten.

From an inside draw, jockey Chris Johnson hugged the rail for the duration of the 2400m trip.

‘‘She had her chance. She ran a brave race. She just peaked coming to the end a little bit,’’ Johnson said. In a standout season, the daughter of Savabeel has won more than $450,000 and looks set for a big future when she returns in the spring. Just over half a length behind Savvy Coup was the next of the Kiwis – the Chris Gibbs-trained Danzdanzdance in sixth.

The stable hold the belief she will not reach her potential until next season and Saturday’s jockey Michael Walker agrees.

‘‘She went super. She had a really good run. She was flat a really long way out and usually a horse would stop.

‘‘She kept trying. If they take it home and she puts on 60-70kg, she would be a better horse. She’s at the end of her prep now but I take my hat off to her,’’ Walker said.

Contessa Vanessa, trained by Team Rogerson, finished ninth. She was two lengths clear of the Tony Pike-trained She’s A Treasure who came home 10th.

Luvaluva, trained in Sydney by ex-pat Kiwi John Sargent, rounded out the New Zealand connection was a disappointing 11th.