Oaks decision awaiting Wakeful Stakes winner Tiamo Grace
A potential Oaks run against Yankee Rose on Thursday could be on the cards for Tiamo Grace following its win in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes at Flemington.
The Darren Weir-trained filly had no traffic problems this week as jockey Damian Lane situated the three-year-old in the ideal spot throughout the run and it kicked away for an impressive victory.
Stable representative Jeremy Rogers isn’t sure whether it will head to the Oaks, but that decision will be made in the coming days.
“I think today was her long term goal, but we’ll see how she is over the next few days to see if we push for Thursday or put her in the paddock and head to the autumn,” Rogers said.
“She’s a really nice progressive filly, kept improving with everything we’ve asked her to do.
“Beautifully ridden by Damian, had her nice and relaxed in the beautiful spot. He just let her loose at the top of the straight and she did the rest.”
Lane believes it will be hard for connections to turn down a run in the Oaks at Flemington on Thursday after what it produced in the Wakeful.
“Classic D Weir operation, they start in the bush, build some confidence and when he brings them to town you know they’re ready,” Lane said.
“I think there was a bit of talk that she might not go there (Oaks). I’d say it’d be hard not to take her there.”
Tiamo Grace was the easing $4.20 favourite at CrownBet, but punters can expect a better price if it takes on Yankee Rose in the Oaks.
Yankee Rose is the current $2 favourite for the Oaks following its third placing in the Group 1 Cox Plate last Saturday.