A slight variation in riding tactics is likely for Vaquera as trainer Gai Waterhouse attempts to revive her Queensland Oaks prospects in The Roses at Doomben on Saturday.
Vaquera opened her Queensland campaign on a disappointing note when she finished 13th, beaten 13 lengths, in the Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) won by Express Power on May 4.
“She did a bit of work from the wide gate and it was a day when none of the on-pacers won,” said Mark Newnham, raceday foreman for Waterhouse.
“On her previous form I would have thought she’d run pretty well in this race off a better draw.”
Newnham believes Vaquera can turn her form around if she’s ridden just off the pace in The Roses, in preference to taking up the front running role.
“She prefers to have one or two to follow as she did at Canterbury two starts back,” Newnham said.
“That day she box seated and hit the line strongly and because she’s still a green filly who’s learning what it’s all about that’s probably the best way to ride her.”
Vaquera was ridden at the Gold Coast by Tim Clark but the daughter of High Chaparral will be ridden by Michael Rodd at Doomben.
