Kiwi Filly Sakura Girl Ready for Queensland Oaks

Media Release - Tuesday May 16

Cambridge trainer Ben Foote is pleased with his Group Three winning three-year-old filly Sakura Girl, who will have her first start in Brisbane on Saturday when she contests the Gr.2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben.

Sakura Girl contests the Gr.2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday Photo: Trish Dunell

The daughter of Iffraaj finished runner-up in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) last start when taking on older horses, beaten by late-season bloomer Aromatic.

Sakura Girl had been one of the favourites for the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) but set an over-zealous tempo and clung on bravely to finish sixth to subsequent Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) winner Pennyweka before enjoying a brief freshen-up.

With the filly based at the Gold Coast, Foote is confident the New Zealand three-year-old form will again measure up.

“She has done really well. My son (Ryan) travelled over with her and she floated up from Sydney. She hasn’t missed a beat.

“She has eaten up the whole way and done really well.

“She had a good hit out this morning. Peter Robl rode her and he rung me and was very happy with her work.”

Advertisement

Hall of Fame jockey Opie Bosson has been booked to ride both on Saturday and in the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on June 3.

“It is great to have Opie booked for both races,” Foote said. “We had options of Aussie jockeys but I think Opie is one of the best we have ever had, so I am very confident. If I haven’t got him on, he usually beats me anyway, so I’d rather have him on our side.

“She has come on since her run in the Travis. She was always going to be a little bit vulnerable in that race fresh-up after six weeks over 2000m, any horse would be.

“Obviously, we are trying to peak for the Group One, so I think everything is going to plan.”

Sakura Girl is versatile and doesn’t have to lead, but her ability to press forward could be an advantage at the tighter Doomben circuit.

“She will be handy, but she is not a puller and she can be ridden from behind. We would prefer for her just to take a sit,” Foote said.

With Kiwi three-year-olds Sharp ‘N’ Smart, Legarto, Prowess and Pennyweka all boasting Group One wins across the Tasman this season, Foote is not daunted by the opposition in Australia.

“There are a couple of good ones there, but no real standouts. I think a few of them might struggle going 2000m and beyond,” he said.

Prior to Saturday, Foote is hoping to bank some travel money with a team of four entered for the Cambridge synthetic meeting on Wednesday, although he has been thwarted by wide draws.

Stablemates Gravity and The Odyssey are likely to clash in the Ellice Tanner Hart 1300m maiden.

“The Odyssey is a really nice horse and will get better with time. He has trialled well in every trial and he is a horse who will be running on strong. He has drawn out wide (9) like all of them but they have got to start somewhere.

“Gravity is probably going to start in the same race and has drawn out wide as well. He has trialled up well as well and will be hitting the line nicely too.

“We are just debating whether or not we start Ka Ying Lucky (race 9). He has drawn the outside (14) but he is a very fast horse with a lot of ability. If he starts, he will be very hard to beat.

“Tequila (race 1) has taken a long time to mature. She trialled up nice this time, got pocketed in behind them but got out and won comfortably. She will find the line well but will be even better over ground.”

Foote said he is keen to support the Cambridge polytrack through the winter.

“Probably just about everything I race will be on the synthetic,” he said. “I’m not a big fan of racing them on wet tracks, you get different types of wet tracks and I try to avoid them these days.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 19
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
No Compromise Still Going Strong in NZ
Bill Thurlow couldn’t have hoped for a better week at the New Zealand Cup carnival and is optimistic a more senior member of the team can add a northern feature to the stable’s tally this Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Tavistock Mare Chasing G1
Last start Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) winner Town Cryer has another Trentham feature in her sights, taking the next step towards the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at the Foxton trials on Tuesday.