New Zealand Oaks victor Ohope Wins prepares for Australian Oaks bid
Feedback from star rider James McDonald has lifted spirits in the Chris Waller Racing camp as Ohope Wins seeks to rebound from her latest defeat and secure the Australian Oaks alongside her New Zealand classic win.
In her first Australian appearance, she was sent out as a short favourite for the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), expected to outclass opponents even after five weeks off and shortening by 400m.
She threatened atop the straight but failed to overhaul those ahead, placing fourth in a result that fell short of expectations.
Waller's deputy trainer Charlie Duckworth anticipates improvement in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) over Randwick this Saturday.
"James (McDonald) galloped her (on Tuesday) morning and said she feels more switched on, like a better horse today than when he rode her in the race," Duckworth said.
"I don't know whether it's a case of the way we train, or things change, but up to the distance I think she will live up to the hype she had prior to her run in the Vinery, because they all thought she was just about unbeatable."
The filly holds strong support from punters at $2.40, leading Profoundly at $3.50 after her strong win in Saturday's Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m).
Soverato, a stable companion to Ohope Wins, filled the runner-up spot in the Adrian Knox and lines up again in the premier event.
Soverato opened her prep victoriously at Canterbury and has maintained reliability, with McDonald opting for Ohope Wins but advising her owners to target day two of The Championships.
"James rode her on Saturday, and he said, 'you've got to back her up. She is ready to peak'," Duckworth said.
"The distance is obviously a question mark, because she hasn't been over it yet, but there is nothing to say she won't handle it."
Soverato was guided by Kerrin McEvoy to fourth in the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) two runs back and teams with her once more from barrier four at Randwick.
Waller has claimed the Australian Oaks on four occasions, including with Hungry Heart back in 2021.
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