Group II performances pivotal to spring targets

Tom Baddock - Thursday September 21

Chris Waller will use Saturday's results at Rosehill to decide the spring paths of two high class mares.

Advertisement
Omei Sword Photo: Steve Hart

Stakes winners Dawn Wall and Omei Sword will have their immediate future decided by their performances on Saturday.

A winner of the Kembla Grange Classic and the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet last preparation Dawn Wall produced an exceptional first-up performance over 1400m, finishing second behind Washington Heights.

"It was a great first-up run from a horse that did a great job as a three-year-old," Waller said.

"She won two Group races as a three-year-old and stamped her authority so it was no real surprise to see her come back so well.

"She did a really good job as a three-year-old, failed in the Oaks but I don't think she's an extreme distance horse.

"She's draw well in barrier three and Corey Brown rides with 53kg and it's a nice stepping stone to racing against the older horses on the back of a very good first-up run.

"It's a Group II and after this we might aim a bit higher.

"There's no great expectations or pressure but if she was to perform well on Saturday I'd suggest a race like the Toorak would be suitable."

The four-year-old is $3.60 second-favourite with Bet365 to claim win number five, while nominations are yet be released for the Group I Toorak Handicap at Caulfield on October 14.

Group I placed stablemate Omei Sword has always promised the world but has yet to reach her potential and has raced without luck at her two resuming from a bleeding attack which saw the mare mandatorily spelled.

"Forget her first run, she just about fell and last start she was back last three-wide doing it pretty tough so they are fair excuses," Waller said.

"There's no excuses on Saturday.

"She's drawn well, got a good jockey and the set-weights and penalties will suit so there shouldn't be any excuses.

"Where she goes will depend on her run on Saturday.

"She's one of the better horses that I've trained but she's had a set-back and needs to get the points back on the board."

Omei Sword will jump from barrier two in the Group II Golden Pendent with Hugh Bowman in the saddle and is $4.60 to return to the winner's circle.

Advertisment
More Reading...
More Success for Maori Chief
A homebred for Go Bloodstock, well bred I Am Invincible gelding Maori Chief has a spring in his step at present and made it back-to-back wins at Randwick when scoring on Wednesday.
Promising Savabeel Filly Scores for Te Akau
Craig Grylls’ near-unassailable lead in the national jockey’s premiership was given a further boost early at Matamata on Wednesday, with deserving maiden winner Viva Glam featuring in his winning treble.
First Hong Kong Winner for Royal Meeting
Mark Newnham has had a great season so far In Hong Kong and produced an impressive winner at Happy Valley on Wednesday evening when Royal Meeting (IRE) three year-old King Lotus charged home to win.
Extreme Choice share tops May (Early) Sale at $540,000
A share in world class stallion Extreme Choice topped tonight’s Inglis Digital May (Early) Online Sale, selling for $540,000.
Wootton Bassett Filly Wins G3 Musidora by Five
A Group III winner last year at two, Whirl made every post a winner at York overnight when leading all the way to win the Group III Musidora Stakes (1m2 ½f) in a canter.
One to Watch – Randwick
A two year-old Zoustar filly that is a three-quarter sister-in-blood to Group I winner Mizzy and was purchased for a modest $250,000 as a yearling looks to have been well bought after making a winning debut at Randwick on Wednesday.
Queensland Oaks Potential for Blueblood Dundeel Filly
Dundeel has had a flurry of female stakes-winners this season including Group I SA Derby winner Femminile and Richard Litt is hopeful his filly Ella Hazel can add her name to the tally.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday May 14
Here is the full list of 45 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
The Oaks Stud Confirm 2025 Sire Roster
The Oaks Stud has announced its 2025 stallion line-up, headlined by U S Navy Flag, who will stand for $12,500 + GST.
Another Smart Winner for Kings Legacy
Just days after posting his first stakes-winner when Steel Trap won the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes in Adelaide, King’s Legacy has produced another promising winner.