Achieve looking to raise the bar in Oaks
Talented staying filly Achieve will be the sole runner for Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood this weekend when she contests the Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday.
The daughter of Pierro has won once from six starts but has been around the mark in all of her races, boasting placings in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m), Group 2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m) and the Group 3 Sunline Vase (2100m).
A +1200 chance in Saturday’s Oaks in a market headed by smart stayer Self Obsession (+130), Achieve has drawn well in barrier six and will again have the services of Ryan Elliott.
“If she can get every favour and every bit of luck in the run, she’s certainly going to be there or thereabouts,” Wellwood said.
“She’s very honest and I think the mile and half is going to suit. We go in happy with her, but she is going to need everything to go her way to be winning it.
“Self Obsession looks the obvious one to try and beat, her form is very good and realistically she looks like she’s going to suit a mile and a half on her ear too.
“Apart from her there’s probably six or eight chances that look like nice horses that are probably similar sort of level to Achieve.”
Kingsclere Stables are unlikely to be represented at the Sydney Autumn Carnival this year and Queensland raiders would also have to put their hand up quickly.
“If Achieve was to go well in the New Zealand Oaks she would potentially go to Sydney. There’s probably another couple of three-year-olds that if they went well in another couple of runs in New Zealand they could go to Brisbane but we have nothing definite at this stage,” Wellwood said.
Meanwhile, Group One winning mare Two Illicit is nearing a return to the racetrack after finishing sixth in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham in January, while multiple Group Three winner Cheaperthandivorce won’t be seen again this season.
“She will step out next Saturday in a 1400m handicap at Tauranga and be aimed at the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Group 1, 1600m) at Te Rapa,” Wellwood said.
“Cheaperthandivorce will come back in the spring, she had a little niggle this autumn. Nothing major, she’ll be back in the spring.”