Waterhouse and Bott out to break Group 1 Australasian Oaks drought
Gai Waterhouse’s last win in the Australasian Oaks came back in 2000 with Tempest Morn, but she and Adrian Bott will try to turn back the clock on Saturday with a dual-pronged attack on this year’s Group 1 edition.
Too Darn Lizzie and Phenom will represent the stable at Morphettville, both stepping up to 2000 metres for the first time in a highly competitive renewal of the classic for three-year-old fillies.
Too Darn Lizzie arrives off a string of Stakes placings and hasn’t raced since running second in the Alexandra Stakes, but has had a trial to keep her up to the mark.
“Her form this time in has been excellent,” Bott said. “She’s shown signs she’ll get the trip, and we always thought 2000 metres would suit her further into her career. It’s the right time to try her.”
Phenom, meanwhile, stayed on in South Australia after finishing third in the Group 3 Auraria Stakes, and Bott believes she’s peaking at the right time.
“She was a bit unbalanced on the turn, but finished off really well,” he said. “Everything tells us she’ll run a strong 2000 metres.”
Top jockey Blake Shinn has the ride on Too Darn Lizzie, while promising local apprentice Rochelle Milnes will be aboard Phenom.
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