Trainer Chris Waller says maligned Sebring Sally ‘thriving’ ahead of Queensland Oaks

SEBRING Sally may have been shafted by bookies for the Queensland Oaks but trainer Chris Waller couldn’t be happier with her form.

Trainer Chris Waller says Sebring Sally (right) being ridden by Damien Oliver here at Ballarat, is “thriving’’ ahead of the Queensland Oaks.

“SHE hasn’t gone backwards and she is thriving.”

That was the immediate comment from Sydney trainer Chris Waller after he watched Sebring Sally go through her paces on the Gold Coast course proper on Tuesday.

Bookies have shafted Sebring Sally in the Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday despite the fact she put in arguably the best performance in the Doomben Roses (2000m) last month.

Sebring Sally was trapped three wide without cover throughout but still made a long-sustained run to grab second behind Kebede.

Despite the brave performance, Sebring Sally is rated only a $17 chance in the Oaks with UBET but Waller couldn’t be happier with her.

“She hasn’t gone backwards and she is thriving,” Waller said. “She didn’t try to break the record for the fastest horse (on Tuesday morning) but it was nice staying work.

“The Doomben Roses just showed she is appreciating the extra distance and she did a good job because she was three wide the whole way.

“Anything short of a mile she struggles at and she looks like a stayer and she is definitely in the race with a chance.”

Waller admits it’s a different feeling in the lead-up to the Oaks this year.

Last year the Waller-trained Winx was a dominant favourite but 12 months later he is flying under the radar with Sebring Sally.

“Obviously Winx was a bit different and she had Group 1 form coming into the race last year but Sebring Sally’s run was as good as you get really in the Doomben Roses,” Waller said.

“She has come through Tasmania and we haven’t won a Queensland Oaks with that form line before but anything is possible and she is hitting form at the right time of the year.”

Sebring Sally won the Listed Strutt Stakes (2100m) for three-year-olds in Hobart before finishing 10th in the Tasmanian Oaks (2100m) on February 21.

Her second to fellow Oaks hope Kebede ($11) in the Doomben Roses on May 21 was her third run back from a nine-week let-up.

In a tip for punters, Victorian trainer Henry Dwyer has labelled Oaks contender Tavi Bay ($14) a classier proposition than his 2014 Queensland Derby winner Sonntag.

Tavi Bay won the same 2000m Caulfield lead-up race that Sonntag did before his Derby success and Dwyer believes she has the potential to reach greater heights than Sonntag.

“She has a bit more quality than Sonntag,’’ Dwyer said. “The form out of his race has only been average. He’s been able to win a Sale Cup since but he’s no star. This filly has more scope than him and I think she will eat up 2400m.’’

Dwyer said the Oaks had been on his radar for a long time but the trip hinged on her performing well at Caulfield last start.

She did just that, winning over 2000m after sitting wide.