Waller faces tough barrier to success
CHRIS Waller has won each of the three Queensland Oaks run at Doomben but the trainer concedes the barrier draw has made the prospects of him maintaining his perfect record a more difficult task today.
Waller has four runners but his stocks took a dive when the best credentialed, Welsh Legend and Duchess Of Lennox, drew the two outside gates.
Waller has won the last two Oaks with Egg Tart and Youngstar, after winning the first of the Doomben runnings with Winx in 2015.
All three had won Group races leading into the Oaks.
“I wouldn’t say (the runners today) are in the same league as some of those horses just yet. The draws have made it a lot harder but we will give it a good shot,” Waller said.
The record-breaking trainer has a healthy opinion of Duchess Of Lennox, who ran overall and sectional times last start that comfortably measured up to what some rivals did in the Roses.
“She’s a very good horse, she just needs a bit of luck from the draw. That’s obvious,” he said. “She’s very talented, still learning her craft and, when the penny drops, she’s a very good horse in the making. Welsh Legend’s run last time was very good as well. They are clearly our best two chances.”
Waller has a strong hand in the O’Shea Stakes today and believes Life Less Ordinary and Shillelagh both have a lot in their favour compared to the Doomben Cup.
“Life Less Ordinary got a long way back from a wide draw. Jason (Collett) rode him perfectly, but the winner (Kenedna) had an easier run and that proved the difference,” he said.
“The winner is a good horse in its own right and will take some beating, but fortunately we should be a bit closer.
“I think (the likely slow pace) will suit him, because he’s a proven mile to 1800m horse and he’s got a good turn of foot.
“Shillelagh just needs a bit of luck. She got a long way back in the Doomben Cup, struck wet tracks in the Doncaster and the Ranvet which she hates, and I’m looking forward to it being a genuinely good track.”
Kris Lees has fond memories of the Oaks, having won it with Vitesse Dane in 2005.
He said after the barrier draw he found it hard to split his runners, Aliferous and Angel Of Heaven, today.
“Aliferous was clearly the pick but she’s going to need a bit of luck now, whereas Angel Of Heaven should get a perfect run,” Lees said.
THE DRAWS HAVE MADE IT A LOT HARDER BUT WE WILL GIVE IT A GOOD SHOT
CHRIS WALLER