Bookmakers have installed Streama an overwhelming favourite for Saturday’s Group One Australian Oaks but trainer Guy Walter doesn’t share their bullishness.
While confident he has the best filly in the race, Walter admits the $1.60 favourite has a couple of question marks hanging over her going into the staying Classic.
And the likelihood of a heavy track has done little to allay his fears.
“Obviously with Streama going to 2400 metres for the first time I’d prefer it wasn’t wet,” Walter said.
“Having said that, she’s proven in the past she can handle the wet.”
What she hasn’t yet proven is her ability to stay.
However, history shows it is often the class horse and not the best stayer that wins an Oaks or Derby and that is precisely what Walter is relying on.
“The reservations I have are the distance. You don’t know if they run it `til you try them,” Walter said.
“My second reservation is the preparation she’s had.
“It would have been better had she had another middle-distance run because going from 1500 metres to 2000 to 2400 at Randwick on a bog track isn’t ideal.
“I’m relying on class to carry her through.”
Walter has won the Oaks (2400m) twice before with Wild Iris in 2004 and Republic Lass two years earlier but the race wasn’t on Streama’s original autumn radar.
She was headed towards the Doncaster Mile until her battling fifth against the older mares two starts ago in the Coolmore Classic.
Walter decided to change tack and put Streama on an Oaks path, via the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) in which she finished resolutely for second to Mosheen.
Mosheen won’t be there on Saturday with just eight fillies to contest the Classic.
Three of them are from Walter’s stable with Lightens and Colourist joining Streama in the race.
The Darley-owned Lightens was doing her best work late when fourth to Oaks rival Full Of Spirit in the Adrian Knox Stakes on Derby day.
Walter concedes the jury is out on whether she is up to Group One level but he is happy to roll the dice.
“She possibly lacks the class for an Oaks,” he said.
“She’s unknown at the trip and unknown in the (wet) ground.
“They’re all question marks but with a small field like this there is an opportunity.
“She’s fit and well and deserves to be given a chance.”
Colourist is raced by long-term clients Ollie Tait and Jill Nivison who owned Walter’s champion Tie The Knot.
She failed to beat a runner home in the Adrian Knox but did finish fourth in the Fernhill Handicap on the corresponding program last year, run on a very heavy track.
“She’s there on the basis that they’re only three once, it’s pouring rain and she revels in the ground,” Walter said.
