New jockey for Oaks ace
GOLD Coast trainer Garry Newham has secured jockey Ryan Maloney for Queensland Oaks winner Winning Ways who resumes at Doomben on Saturday.
Winning Ways is favourite to win the Queensland Horse of the Year on the strength of her Group 1 Oaks and Listed Gold Coast Bracelet wins during the winter.
Matt McGillivray rode Winning Ways in both wins but he will miss her return over 1350m on Saturday.
He has been stood down by stewards until the results of a urine sample are available.
McGillivray was originally stood down after he could not provide a sample because of dehydration at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
He did give a sample the next day but stewards ruled he must remain sidelined until the results are known.
“I feel really sorry for Matt as it seems most unusual,” Newham said. “But Ryan is riding in good form and he is a ready-made replacement.”
Winning Ways is entered for the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate next month but Newham said the mare would not run in the latter.
She has been given 51kg in the Caulfield Cup which over the years has been a good race for Queensland Oaks winners. “The Cox Plate was out of her reach this year but if things go OK we can try the Caulfield Cup,” Newham said. “But there is no pressure to head to Melbourne. We will have a better idea after Doomben. “Unfortunately while she was bought at the Gold Coast sale she wasn’t paid up for the Magic Millions series. But there is a new wildcard race for the Magic Millions Trophy and they are two races we could look at.
“The Trophy is at 2400 metres this season which really suits her.” Winning Ways had to serve a three-month ban after bleeding during her Oaks win. “It was a very small bleed and she has pleased me since she returned,” Newham said.