Pinot firms for the Oaks after dominant Caulfield win
WATERHOUSE and Bott-trained Pinot has firmed in heavily for the VRC Oaks after a dominant win in the Bloodstock Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield.
Jumping from an awkward gate, the filly was taken to the front early by Stephen Baster and was never headed, kicking away strongly in the latter stages to return $5.60 at Crownbet.com.au.
The victory saw Pinot ($5 at Ladbrokes) get wound in to second favouritism after being at the $9 mark prior to the race.
Baster was in awe of the three-year-old in the aftermath of the race.
“She was amazing,” the jockey said.
“I didn’t want to drive her out, I didn’t to be too keen so I took my time coming across but I did some work.
“All credit to her, she was amazing.”
Trainer Gai Waterhouse was full of praise for the filly, stating that the ease in which Pinot took to the front was the decisive moment of the race.
“I love the way she was able to come over from the outside alley,” Waterhouse said.
“Once she got there the pace of the race just slowed up and she was able to do what she does so well.”
The win was the second consecutive win for the daughter of Pierro, which doubled its victory tally after a strong win at Flemington at the end of September.
Waterhouse believes that the three-year-old now goes into the VRC Oaks as a legitimate winning threat.
“When she came down from Sydney which was probably six weeks ago, I said to them this year ‘I’m determined to win the VRC Oaks’, it’s the one thing I want to do.
“This filly was beaten at her first start … and every time she kept improving.”
Baster echoed the trainer’s thoughts on Pinot.
“Getting through to the Oaks trip is just going to suit her down to the ground,” he said.
“She’s just tough and she’s obviously going to be very hard to beat.”