Trainer Clarry Conners knows what it takes to win a Queensland Oaks, having won it in 2003 with Zagalia and again with Allow in 2006. This Saturday, he’ll saddle up Invest, winner of the Schweepes Oaks (2000m) in South Australia, in the Group One Treasury Casino Queensland Oaks (2400m).
Prior to campaigning in Adelaide, the filly was mostly ignored by punters. But in her first run on South Australian soil, she caught the eye with a close up fourth in the Schweppes Stakes (1800m). Two weeks later, she backed that up with a superb win in the Oaks. The amazing fact is that she has been in work since February yet appears to be still enjoying her racing. Conners believes her performances in those two races at Morphettville can be be put down to his son, Heath.
“She (Invest) had been at Heath’s stables for a couple of a months in readiness for Adelaide so all the credit must go to him for that.” He said.
Three weeks after her Oaks triumph, she ventured to Queensland and Doomben. She lined up in The Roses (2000m) and again regular rider Peter Mertens gave her a perfect run to win. Conners says the daughter of Dehere is travelling along beautifully for Saturday’s assignment after her debut win in the Sunshine State.
“She has pulled up excellent since Doomben,” He said.
“I am tickled pink with her and the way she is coming along for Saturday.”
The trainer, although confident about his filly and her chances, is cautious about the kiwi raiders and rates them as her main dangers.
“I think Miss Artistic and Poste Restante are the two key threats I think,” Conners revealed.
“Miss Artistic was game behind Invest at Doomben while the other filly ran well behind Brambles against the boys and that form has held up.”
Any concerns about the filly running 2400m can be put to rest according to the trainer.
“Her dam is by Zabeel so I won’t be using that as an excuse if she gets beat” He said.
The mother of Invest is Unearthly, one of the great fillies of her generation and a dominant winner of the 2003 Flight Stakes.
So how did the champion horseman rate the chances of his filly heading into Saturday?
“She is an excellent chance of winning as long as we get a good barrier” The trainer said.
This conversation took place on Monday hence the barrier draw wasn’t known at the time. She has drawn 22 out of 23, but remember, she does have the form on the board given she is the only Group One winner engaged.
