Ohope Wins is expected to relish a return to the Oaks distance at Randwick.
The Chris Waller Racing team has been buoyed by the feedback from champion hoop James McDonald as Ohope Wins strives to bounce back from a last start defeat and add the Australian Oaks to her New Zealand classic triumph.
Starting a short-priced favourite at her local debut in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), Ohope Wins was widely expected to prove a class above her rivals despite having had five weeks between runs and dropping 400m in journey.
But while she presented at the top of the straight, she was unable to reel in the leaders, finishing fourth, and given the weight of expectation the result was disappointing.
Waller’s assistant trainer, Charlie Duckworth, doesn’t think that will be the case in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
“James (McDonald) galloped her (on Tuesday) morning and said she feels more switched on, like a better horse today than when he rode her in the race,” Duckworth said.
“I don’t know whether it’s a case of the way we train, or things change, but up to the distance I think she will justify the hype she had prior to her run in the Vinery, because they all thought she was just about unbeatable.”
Punters are also keeping faith in the filly to rebound with Ohope Wins a $2.40 favourite, ahead of Saturday’s impressive Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) victor Profoundly at $3.50.
Ohope Wins stablemate, Soverato, was runner-up in the Adrian Knox and will also back up in the blue riband.
After winning at Canterbury to begin her preparation, Soverato has been in consistent form and while McDonald sticks with Ohope Wins on Saturday, he has encouraged her connections to press on to day two of The Championships.
“James rode her on Saturday, and he said, ‘you’ve got to back her up. She is ready to peak’,” Duckworth said.
“The distance is obviously a question mark, because she hasn’t been over it yet, but there is nothing to say she won’t handle it.”
Kerrin McEvoy partnered Soverato when she finished a solid fourth in the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) two starts ago and reunites with her at Randwick from barrier four.
Waller has won the Australian Oaks four times, most recently with Hungry Heart in 2021.
