Own The Queen Reigns in WA Oaks

Mark Smith - Saturday March 30

The short-priced favourite Own The Queen did it the hard way in Saturday’s Group III Drummond Golf - WA Oaks (2400m) at Ascot, extending her winning sequence to five.

Ridden by Troy Turner for Justine Erkelens, the daughter of Awesome Rock failed to settle in the early stages and was taken back to last. With the field spread out, Own The Queen was set to an all-out drive at the 600m and was widest of all on the home turn.

Advertisement

Own The Queen gets the job done (image Western Racepix)

Own The Queen knuckled down to her task admirably to defeat the Harry Angel (IRE) filly Miss Skyhigh by a long-neck with the Tavistock filly Flash Of Dallas a half-head back in third.

It was a third win in the classic for Turner.

“She’s come a long way and it’s a credit to Justine and her crew. It wasn’t n easy task getting her here,” troy Turner said.

“I feel we got to the bottom of her today. She’s had a bit in reserve in previous wins, but today, she needed to dig deep and found the line strong.

“She is a bit awkward with a bit of a rubber neck, but if I set her alight, she would be pulling three and four deep, so I got her to chill. I was concerned how strung out they were, but I got on to the back of Pikey and knew I had him covered.

With a sweep of the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas, Listed Natasha Stakes and Group III WA Oaks, Own The Queen has banked $442,790.

Her lone defeat came at her first start when a troubled eighth over 1400m at Ascot in December in what has proven to be a high-quality maiden.

Big night ahead (image Western Racepix)

The daughter of Awesome Rock was a $57,500 buy for John Chalmers Bloodstock (FBAA)/Erkelens Racing from the Western Breeders Alliance draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

She is the best of four winners from as many to race for the 4-time winning Patronize mare Queen Of Choice, from the family of Group III MVRC CS Hayes Stakes winner Cannibal King.

Own The Queen a $57,500 Perth Magic Millions yearling

Team Dupre bought an I’m All The Talk half-brother to Own The Queen for $22,000 at the 2023 Perth Winter Yearling Sale.

After foaling a Playing God coly last spring, Queen Of Choice revisited the high-flying son of Blackfriars.

Own The Queen is one of five stakes-winners for Gold Front Breeding & Racing’s Group 1 winning Fastnet Rock stallion, Awesome Rock.

Advertisment

Race Result - Drummond Golf - WA Oaks Gr3 2400m

Ascot Track: Good(4) Time: 2:32.02
1
Own The Queen
- 3f Awesome Rock (AUS) x Queen Of Choice (AUS) (Patronize (AUS))
Tnr: Ms J Erkelens Rdr: T Turner 55.5
2
0.5
Miss Skyhigh
- 3f Harry Angel (IRE) x Admiring (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: W Pike 55.5
3
0.5
Flash Of Dallas
- 3f Tavistock (NZ) x Smoothing (AUS) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: C Johnston-Porter 55.5
4
2.2
Warralea Lass
- 3f Playing God (AUS) x Lacie Locket (AUS) (Hala Bek (IRE))
Tnr: S J Wolfe Rdr: S Mc Gruddy 55.5
5
2.6
Starating
- 3f Press Statement (AUS) x Sweet Chestnut (AUS) (Congrats (USA))
Tnr: G J Kersley Rdr: Jordan Turner 55.5
6
2.6
She's Perfection
- 3f Lean Mean Machine (AUS) x Keysbrook (AUS) (So Secret (AUS))
Tnr: D L Morton Rdr: S Parnham 55.5
7
2.8
Queen Nardi
- 3f Adelaide (IRE) x Demon Queen (AUS) (Barely A Moment (AUS))
Tnr: A G Durrant Rdr: Lucy Fiore 55.5
8
5.6
Guess Who's Back
- 3f Stratum Star (AUS) x Withoutme (NZ) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Campbell McCallum Rdr: Holly Watson 55.5
9
8
Kinellins Legacy
- 3f Fiorente (IRE) x Parnissius (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Luke Fernie Rdr: Chris Parnham 55.5
10
21.9
Super Queen
- 3f Super One (AUS) x Queen Bey (AUS) (Blackfriars (AUS))
Tnr: Mack Hall Rdr: Keshaw Dhurun 55.5
More Reading...
Wootton Bassett 2YOs on the March
Wootton Bassett’s star Northern Hemisphere two year-old Albert Einstein has been ruled out of Royal Ascot with a sprained joint that will require a few weeks off, but the red hot sire added two more talented debut winning juvenile colts at The Curragh overnight.
Blueblood Import - American-Bred Jillaroo Records First Win
Purchased at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Ciaron Maher, the now 4yo mare Jillaroo (USA) (Curlin) initially started her racing career in the United States but after an Australian debut second at Caulfield in early May, recorded her maiden victory at Doomben.
Frosty Girl impressive on debut
The Chris Waller-trained Frosty Girl made the perfect start to her career when coming from last to land the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m) on debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 5
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Queensland Oaks
Unbeaten this preparation, Philia will be looking to emulate her half-sister Duais in winning the $1million Group I BRC Queensland Oaks (2200m) on Saturday, but a swarm of up and comers are nipping at her heels, so who are they?
Third Stakes Success For Justify’s Spicy Martini
A winner of four from six, three at stakes level highlighted by the reschedule Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m), the Toby Edmonds & Stephen McLean trained Spicy Martini (Justify) will now head to the Group 1 Stradbroke with just 49.5kgs on her back – not bad for an $8,000 online yearling purchase!
New Winner for Bivouac
Godolphin have been  enjoying a winning run with their late season juveniles and it continued at Geelong on Thursday where Bivouac gelding Loving opened his account.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 4
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
A Passion That Lasts a Lifetime
A passion for pedigrees and thoroughbreds is often one that lasts a lifetime and so it has been for one of the co-breeders of Bravery, who contacted me this week following our earlier and very well read story on current 2YO star Cool Archie.
Inglis Ready 2 Race Entries Open
Entries for the Inglis Ready2Race Sale – Australasia’s most progressive 2YO Sale – are now open.