Champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller already has the short-priced ATC Australian Oaks favourite, Verry Elleegant, but could strengthen his representation in the fillies Classic depending on the performances of three runners in the Adrian Knox Stakes.
Waller has Zalatte, Romani Girl and Welsh Legend in Saturday’s Group Three Adrian Knox (2000m) at Randwick, a week before the Group One Oaks over 2400m at the same track.
Very Elleegant’s dominant win in the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill last Saturday has her the $2.25 Oaks favourite, while the performances of her stablemates in the Adrian Knox will help decide whether they also head that way.
“All three of our runners would progress through to the Oaks if they run well, if not we would split them up and send some to Adelaide and some to Brisbane for their Oaks a little later in the season,” Waller said.
Waller said he would be keeping a close eye on the track conditions on Saturday morning for Zalatte who failed on a “very heavy” track last start in the Phar Lap Stakes but indicated he would be willing to run the filly on an anticipated soft track.
Zalatte was at $9 on Friday just ahead of last-start Kembla Grange Classic fourth-placegetter Romani Girl ($9.50) while Welsh Legend was $19.
The Hawkes Racing-trained Amangiri was the $2.80 favourite and is currently on the fourth line of betting for the Oaks at $15.
