Australian Guineas a possibility for Autumn Stakes winner
OAK Door progressed from a midweek type to a Group 2 Autumn Stakes winner at Caulfield on Saturday and it could now head to the Group 1 Australian Guineas.
The Robert Smerdon-trained colt was having its 11th career run and the experience proved vital as it led throughout with in-form jockey Damian Lane in the saddle.
Lane was able to give the son of Commands a soft lead around the 1400m trip and it held off the challenges from Attention and Knowable.
“His form has been faultless this preparation,” Lane said. “It’s the first time I’ve seen him in the flesh.
“He’s an impressive individual. He keeps improving and he’s got a lovely high cruising speed.”
Oak Door looked under pressure at the top of the straight, but Lane gave it a kick and it worked nicely through the line.
“To his credit he was strong to the line,” Lane added.
Trainer Robert Smerdon believes it could run over the longer distances, with a possibility of heading to the Australian Guineas.
“We wouldn’t mind stretching him out a bit, 1800m maybe,” Smerdon said. “If he can take that to a longer distance, he’ll be more dominant.
“He’s entered (in the Australian Guineas), he’s in the race. It’s something to think about, but we never make a decision on race day.”
Smerdon was happy with Damian Lane’s positioning in the race aboard the $6.50 chance at Sportsbet.com.au.
“He was always going to roll forward. He was controlled and contained him,” Smerdon said.
“You always felt he was going to give a good kick, he’s beaten some nice horses there today.
“Horses like him make their own luck and he did that today.”
Attention was a drifting runner in the market at $7, but it battled on well for second and Knowable didn’t have much room along the inside, but held on for third over Redouble.