Kiwi raider chasing Australian Oaks Goldrush

Dubai Goldrush wasn’t even considered for the Australian Oaks when early nominations opened, according to her trainer Pam Gerard. The filly hadn’t won a maiden race at that time, making the classic an unlikely target.

“When the ‘noms’ were first put out she hadn’t even won a maiden so we never even thought about it,” Gerard said of a Sydney Oaks bid.

“But we knew she had a lot of ability there. We thought she may have been more a Brisbane type of filly but she improved so sharply and so quickly.”

Her runner-up effort in the New Zealand Oaks changed everything, prompting a late nomination for Saturday’s Group 1 showdown at Randwick.

“They tell us in New Zealand that (New Zealand Oaks winner) Leica Lucy is pretty much a superstar and she gave it a pretty good fright. She has come through the race really well so we chucked in a late nomination and thought, we’ll have a go at Sydney.”

Dubai Goldrush is rated a $17 chance, with Leica Lucy a strong contender at $4.20 and Treasurethe Moment the clear favourite.

“Leica Lucy had a pretty long season at home. We were there at Trentham when she beat us and she was out on her feet that day, she gave it everything and was so tough,” Gerard said.

“Whether she (Leica Lucy) can turn around and change stables and handle everything different go on with her and do it again, I’m not sure, I’m not involved with her. But if we can beat her I’ll be super happy.”

Gerard acknowledged the challenge of beating Treasurethe Moment. “She looks gorgeous and obviously she is one out of the box. If we can get close to her we’d be happy,” Gerard said.

“Obviously, you’ve got some horrifically good ones here at the moment so it’s pretty scary,” she said. “But if we can get out there and run a nice race and be thereabouts, she is only going to improve as a four-year-old.”