Darren Beadman fears nerves could get the better of promising filly Gliding and deny Bart Cummings a 10th VRC Oaks at Flemington.
Beadman is confident the daughter of Flying Spur will run the 2500 metres of Thursday’s Classic but is worried that she may overrace.
He was so concerned that he sent three sets of ear muffs to the Cummings stable to try out on the filly but is unsure if they were used.
It is common for horses in Hong Kong, where Beadman is based, to race in ear muffs but no gear changes have been notified for Gliding.
“She is drawn wide in a small field and I just have to see how she is before the race going into the barriers,” Beadman said.
“If she is nice and calm it gives me a few options, but if she is a bit wired she might have to race a little bit more forward.”
Gliding has won once in seven starts but it was only two runs ago when she beat six of her 10 Oaks rivals in the Listed Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.
Beadman rode her that day but Luke Nolen partnered her when she finished fourth to runaway winner Atlantic Jewel in the Group Two Wakeful Stakes at Flemington.
With Atlantic Jewel sidelined with injury, Dowager Queen is $3.80 favourite with TAB Sportsbet after an unlucky second in the Ethereal and third in the Wakeful.
Mosheen has never raced beyond 1600 metres but is second favourite at $4.60 ahead of Wakeful runner-up Rahveel ($6) and Gliding ($7).
Notably 19 of the last 25 Oaks winners have competed in the Wakeful.
“To me she will get the trip and it is just a just matter of whether I can switch her off,” Beadman said.
“She is still learning but if I can get her in a rhythm I don’t think she will pull as hard.
“I just don’t want to be dictated to by other runners and have to change course or speed because she doesn’t really understand that.”
Gliding is bred to stay and is a half-sister to five-time Group One winner Eremein whose victories included the AJC Australian Derby, The BMW and Ranvet Stakes.
Cummings won his first VRC Oaks with Light Fingers in 1964 and has since won with Sanderae (1970), Leica Show (1974), Taj Eclipse (1983), Tristanagh (1989), Weekend Delight (1990), Richfield Lady (1991), Magical Miss (2001) and Faint Perfume in 2009.
Trainer Graeme Rogerson is wary of the Cummings’ genius in staying races but likes Dowager Queen’s chances, comparing her favourably with his 1998 VRC Oaks winner Grand Archway.
“She (Grand Archway) might have had a bit more speed than this filly (Dowager Queen) but she is very tough and she looks as though she wants 2500 metres,” Rogerson said.
Hugh Bowman will ride Dowager Queen on Thursday, replacing suspended jockey Craig Williams who declared she would win the Oaks after he dropped his whip riding her in the Wakeful.
Dowager Queen has given away big starts at her last two runs but Rogerson says she is adaptable and could race handier in the Oaks.
AAP TURF
