‘She’ll be ready’: Trainer Roger James bullish on Orchestral in the Australian Oaks

Trainer Roger James has revealed Orchestral is showing no signs her long season is catching up with her going into the prestigious Randwick three-year-old fillies classic.

Orchestral wins the Vinery Stud Stakes.

Orchestral has taken no harm from her tough win in the Vinery Stud Stakes and is thriving in preparation for her quest to win a third successive Group 1 in the $1 million ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Roger James has revealed Orchestral is showing no signs her long season is catching up with her going into the prestigious Randwick three-year-old fillies classic.

“I came back to Sydney last Wednesday and was really happy with how well Orchestral had come through her Rosehill win,’’ said James, who trains in partnership with Robert Wellwood.

“She has bounced through that run and did a nice piece of work on Saturday morning.

“We plan to do a little bit more with her on Tuesday morning and she will be ready for the Oaks.’’

The next Kiwi superstar! 🇳🇿

ORCHESTRAL digs deep to win the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) for @Kingsclere_Nz@mcacajamez 🎼

Will she complete the New Zealand Derby & Australian Oaks double? 🇦🇺pic.twitter.com/cphhh8W6L4

— World Horse Racing (@WHR) March 30, 2024

James said some consideration was given to starting Orchestral in the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) but the master Kiwi trainer feels the Oaks is the more suitable race for his star filly.

“We kept our options open with the Queen Elizabeth Stakes but we are comfortable with the decision to go to the Oaks,’’ James added.

In early TAB Fixed Odds betting for the ATC Australian Oaks, who is on a four-race winning streak including successive Group 1 triumphs in the New Zealand Derby and Vinery Stud Stakes, is the $1.70 favourite ahead of Godolphin filly Zardozi at $4.

Orchestral will be the first onto the track at Randwick’s Trackwork with the Stars session on Tuesday morning, coming onto the course proper at 6.30am near the 1600m entrance to do her solo workout.

Orchestral (right) wins the Vinery.

There’s a galaxy of stars working on the course proper, including Queen Elizabeth Stakes hopefuls Place Du Carrousel and Arapaho.

Sydney Cup contenders Athabascan, Military Mission and Major Beel are also scheduled to make use of the course proper surface.

Trainer Chris Waller has outstanding three-year-olds Militarize and Riff Rocket among his stable’s Queen Elizabeth entries which include early favourite Via Sistina, outstanding winner of the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes last start.

Militarize and Riff Rocket both ran at Randwick last Saturday, the former finishing a close third in the Doncaster Mile behind Celestial Legend while Riff Rocket won the ATC Australian Derby.

Waller has indicated he is considering backing up with Militarize in the Queen Elizabeth, but is leaning towards sending Riff Rocket for a spell.

Trainer Joe Pride said Ceolwulf has pulled up so well after his close second to Riff Rocket in the Derby that he is likely to back-up with his promising three-year-old in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Originally published as ‘She’ll be ready’: Trainer Roger James bullish on Orchestral in the Australian Oaks