KIWI WINS OAKS

NEW ZEALAND filly Quintessential, prepared by John Sargent, ploughed through the mud to win the Group One Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm yesterday.

Ridden by expat Kiwi jockey Damian Browne, the daughter of Fast ‘n’ Famous was too good for her opposition in the $A400,000 2400m feature. Quintessential had caught the eye since coming to Australia after her third in the New Zealand Oaks at Trentham in March, rattling home to finish fourth in both the Group III Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm and Group III The Roses (2000m) at Doomben last start.

Browne had the three-year-old perfectly positioned in fifth place throughout in the Queensland Oaks until making his move at the top of the straight.

Quintessential moved up to the leader Poste Restante soon after turning for home and she swept to the lead soon after.

The Chris Waller-trained Eliza Blues attempted to go with her but the Matamata-trained filly was too strong at the end, comfortably downing Eliza Blues with Vittoria, trained by Mick Kent in Victoria, third.

The win was Quintessential’s fourth in 11 starts which have also yielded four placings for prizemoney in excess of $345,000.