New Zealand's Confesara eyes victory in Australasian Oaks
The track record of Roger James in capturing Australian Group 1 events for three-year-old fillies goes all the way back to the beginning of the 2000s, and he seeks to add to that tally this coming Saturday.
Teaming up with co-trainer Robert Wellwood, the Kiwi conditioner has entered Confesara for the $1 million Australasian Oaks at Morphettville held in Adelaide.
The Toronado-sired filly steps out for her Australian bow over 2000 metres, her first try beyond 1500m, but placing a close second to stable companion Dealt With in a sharp 1300m trial at Cambridge this past Tuesday endorsed her stamina.
"She ran second to another one of ours, a good open (class) sprinter, and they ran a very quick time, so her trial was good and it will improve her," James said.
"She's another filly that lacked a bit of luck at times during the season, but she's a highly-talented filly.
"We always thought she was up to an Australian trip but we sat at home and took things quietly and her form dictated that we're on the right path."
With wins in Australian three-year-old fillies Group 1 races under his belt from horses like Sixty Seconds, Giovana and Silent Achiever in his independent days, plus Prowess and Orchestral with Wellwood, James is well-versed in the formula for triumph.
Since her last start, Confesara took out the Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m) at Ellerslie on March 7 in narrow but stylish fashion.
Beforehand, she filled third spot in the Group 3 Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m), going down by 1.6 lengths to Belle Cheval who later claimed the Arrowfield Stud Stakes, as part of six podium finishes in seven career appearances.
Last week saw 31 entries for the Australasian Oaks, with Confesara up against quality foes including Getta Good Feeling from Victoria, James McDonald's mount Panova, and Strictly Business the VRC Oaks winner.
Visit online bookmakers to find the best betting markets for the race in the Australasian Oaks.
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