Trainer Pat Carey won’t commit Gondokoro to a Cups campaign despite her dominant win in the Group One Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Gondokoro ($4.40) responded to a superb tactical ride by jockey Rhys McLeod to win the Oaks by 2-3/4 lengths from Miss Zenella ($9) with Vaquera ($10) two lengths away third.
Gondokoro, Rhys McLeod - Photo by Daniel Costello
Carey will delay a decision on whether Gondokoro is aimed at a Caulfield-Melbourne Cups campaign until after he speaks with the filly’s owner Trevor Delroy.
“We won’t make any decisions until the dust settles and I’d like to seek Trevor’s views and gain his input,” Carey said.
“Let’s not lose sight of what it takes to win a Caulfield or a Melbourne Cup.”
Carey praised the toughness of Gondokoro who began her current campaign in February.
“She’s got the constitution to be a good stayer and she’s held her form since she ran in The Roses at Doomben a fortnight ago,” Carey said.
“The way she won today you could say that she’s continued to improve.”
McLeod took full of advantage of barrier one aboard Gondokoro who tracked the favourite Dear Demi ($2.90) from the outset.
When Dear Demi’s jockey Nash Rawiller decided to leave a trailing position on the fence, it enabled McLeod to improve quickly aboard Gondokoro to be in a challenging spot on the home turn.
“Rhys was as cool as a cucumber and you’ll go a long way to see a better ride than that,” Carey said.
“He was able to get her to the outside at exactly at the right time.”
In humble fashion, McLeod deflected the praise to Gondokoro.
“From the word go we required luck and we got it but she made it happen,” he said.
“When Nash moved off the fence I sussed things out and we were able to pinch two or three lengths coming to the corner.
“Once we got into the clear she just did the rest. All I had to do was point her in the right direction.
“She’s a sister to a Group One winner in Zabeelionaire and today’s win ensures she’s a valuable broodmare,” Carey said.
Peter Moody and jockey Luke Nolen praised the effort of Miss Zenella to grab a Group One placing coming off a Sale win in restricted company.
