Aeliana G1 Australian Oaks decision Tuesday, but start unlikely

Chris Waller is keeping his options open ahead of the ATC Australian Oaks, with a final decision on his runners to come Tuesday morning. It's unlikely, however, that Derby-winning filly Aeliana will back up for the Group 1 feature over 2400m.

Waller, speaking from the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, said that while Aeliana has pulled up well after her emphatic Derby win, the decision isn't solely based on her recovery.

The chance to face Treasurethe Moment would be a carnival highlight, and a win could strengthen Aeliana’s claim for 3YO Filly of the Year. But Waller appears focused on her long-term prospects.

“Aeliana has had a pretty busy three-year-old year and she wasn’t a big, robust filly in the spring, and did an amazing job, and she’s not much bigger now, but she will be bigger and stronger in the spring as a four-year-old,” Waller said.

“I want to have a look at the ratings of the race, how she lines up against the favourite and at what cost.

“She’s got nothing more to prove really, other than the honours of being the 3YO Filly of the Year if she was to beat Treasurethe Moment.

“I’m not really one to be chasing those types of things when you can get it further down the track.”

Aeliana’s commanding Derby win saw her become the first filly in 14 years to take that race and sparked a surge in Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup betting markets.

Belle Detelle, another Waller-trained filly, claimed the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes on Saturday. While her campaign isn’t over, she may sidestep the Oaks in favour of a Queensland route.

“I think she’s on an upward spiral and I loved the way she finished off over 2000 metres the other day,” Waller said of the promising Zed filly, related to his Melbourne Cup star Verry Elleegant.

“I have great confidence that she’ll get a strong 2400 metres and improve, but it’s a long way to go when you’re taking on a champion filly, so I’m leaning towards backing off and going to Queensland.”

The $700,000 Group 1 Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm on June 7 is a likely destination.

Waller's best Oaks prospect currently is Leica Lucy, winner of the New Zealand Oaks in March. She joined his stable shortly after that success.

“She needs to convince me that she’s working well enough because she’s had a long prep as well,” he said.