Thought Of That into Victoria Derby favouritism after dominant win; Gamay firms for The Oaks
The Victoria Derby and Oaks staying classics took shape after key lead-up races at Caulfield. But despite one dominant win, one trainer isn’t prepared to write-off another of his chances.
SuperRacing
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperRacing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Ciaron Maher’s impressive young stayer Thought Of That has transformed from a Donald maiden winner into a serious Victoria Derby chance within the space of a fortnight.
But the Freedman camp, which also trained second placegetter Warning, isn’t prepared to concede a Flemington return bout early next month.
Sydney’s Spring Champion Stakes winner Shadow Hero firmly holds on to favouritism for the Derby at $2.30, but Thought Of That’s three-and-three-quarter length Group 3 Ladbrokes Classic win saw the colt firm from $11 into outright second Derby pick at $4.
Stream over 50 sports live & anytime on your TV or favourite device with KAYO SPORTS. The biggest Aussie sports and the best from overseas. Just $25/month. No lock-in contract. Get your 14 day free trial
Front-running hoop Linda Meech controlled the tempo on the well-backed Thought Of That ($4.20), scoring easily from Warning ($4.20) and Brilliant Venture ($31).
Maher said the well-bred son of So You Think had taken some huge steps since he applied the blinkers ahead of his 1620m maiden win at Donald on October 8.
“The horse is going super, we raised the bar,” Maher said.
“He obviously put the writing on the wall at Donald and we put the shades on. He is a colt and just needs that bit of a focus.
“I was wanting him to hit form a little earlier, but we felt the run at Ballarat (in late September) before we went to Donald he was just cantering along looking at them.
“He will go straight into the Derby … we always said he would get over some ground.”
Maher said Thought Of That — who has prominent and successful owner Brae Sokolski as part of his connections — reminded him of his 2014 Oaks filly Set Square, who thrived over the longer trips.
“He’s sort of similar to Set Square a little bit,” he said. “She won a mile maiden and then we raised the bar in the Ethereal (Stakes) and then she went onto The Oaks.”
“Not many horses can do that. But (Thought Of That) is in a really good at the moment. He is really enjoying his racing.”
Sam Freedman couldn’t have been happier with Warning’s run, and can’t wait to see the horse back at Flemington, where he won the Super Impose two weeks ago.
Warning remains $9 for the Derby.
“The barrier just meant we had to go back and the winner had a nice time in front,” Freedman said.
“I don’t think our bloke could’ve done any more from where he was.
“We will get him back to Flemington. He will stay a mile and a half, so he will run very well in the Derby because we know he will stay.”
Filly Miami Bound, who started favourite ($3.70) in the Ladbrokes Classic, ran fourth and will progress on to the Wakeful Stakes and The Oaks.
Thought Of That by four lengths!
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) October 19, 2019
Linda Meech took advantage of her only ride of the day. pic.twitter.com/wctN6wAXjv
GAMAY ON OAKS PATHWAY
Archie Alexander’s prescient talent for assessing unraced horses and Pierro’s standing as a phenomenal sire were simultaneously boosted as Gamay staked a serious claim for VRC Oaks honours.
Ridden by Declan Bates, Gamay joined a Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) winners’ list which includes Group 1 winners Verry Elleegant and Pinot — a Pierro filly, who completed the Ethereal Stakes-Oaks double in 2017.
Ballarat-based Englishman Alexander is regarded as one of the ascendant stars in the Australian training ranks and his headway with Gamay demonstrates why.
Veteran of just four starts before the Ethereal triumph, Gamay was earmarked by Alexander as a classic filly even before she started.
“Back in February, before she had even had a start, Archie said to me ‘I reckon she’s an Oaks filly’,” Alexander’s racing manager Jeremy Alexander said.
“So that’s the path she has been on all along. Today was a bit of a fork in the road. At Flemington she went super and had no luck. We thought that if she ran top four today, we should push on towards The Oaks.
“She’s a nice filly.”
Rogers is in awe of Pierro.
“He’s just an amazing horse,” Rogers said.
“He’s a Golden Slipper winner but he’s throwing Oaks and Derby horses, so I wonder if they ever got (ran) him a bit further than 2000 metres, what would have been?”
Bates’ strength in a torrid finish allowed Gamay ($7) to down Winx’s close relative Vegas Jewel ($3.50) by a long head. Celestial Falls ($4.80) was third.
Vegas Jewel is now Oaks favourite at $6 with TAB.
Bates believes Gamay, an $8 shot, has the right credentials for Flemington next month.
“She’s a very straightforward filly to ride. She was strong to the line so it was a very good win,” he said.
“Each race this prep she has lifted. I got onto her last week after her last run and I thought she had improved again so I was quite confident coming here today.
“I think she can step out further in trip and lift again.”
Gamay too strong for Vegas Jewel to win the Ethereal Stakes. @decbates @archi3alexander pic.twitter.com/K5HaRIQbLK
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) October 19, 2019
Originally published as Thought Of That into Victoria Derby favouritism after dominant win; Gamay firms for The Oaks