Trainer Chris Waller is set to follow the Winx path to the Epsom Handicap with Egg Tart in the spring following the filly’s brilliant victory in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks at Doomben on Saturday.
Waller and jockey Keiran McEvoy landed their second Queensland Oaks when Egg Tart unleashed a brilliant finish to down Godolphin filly Pygmy by 1-1/4 lengths in the 2200-metre feature.
Waller, who had seven Oaks runners, also finished third with Oaklahoma Girl who was only a short head away.
Waller won his only Queensland Oaks with champion mare Winx which also was run at Doomben two years ago while McEvoy’s previous win was aboard the Peter Snowden-trained Purple in 2009.
Waller intended to set Winx on a Group 1 campaign in Melbourne after her Queensland Oaks triumph but changed tact when the prizemoney was lifted to $1 million for Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick.
“We were going to target the (Group 1) Myer Stakes in Melbourne with Winx after she won the Oaks here but we deflected and went to the Epsom when the prizemoney was increased,” Waller said.
“This filly has a good record which is only just starting to unfold.
“But you’ve got to respect they’re only three-year-olds who are still developing, so she’ll probably miss the Cups and head to the Epsom.
“I like consistency and winning by big margins so I’ll take a conservative approach.”
Waller said he first sensed something special about Egg Tart when she won on a heavy Flemington track on Anzac Day.
“She handled the trip down very well and won well and her attitude since has been good and she’s been a very happy horse,” he said.
Egg Tart is now the only filly to win both the Group 1 Schweppes Oaks at Morphettville and the Queensland Oaks.
Earlier some Damian Oliver magic put Victorian mare Payroll in contention for the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara (1400m) with a brilliant ride in the Listed Spear Chief Handicap (1630m).
Payroll was last in the early stages before Oliver weaved his way through the pack on the inside to snatch a short neck win over Maryore with Double Impact, third, a further three-quarters of a length away.
“She got a squeeze at the start and didn’t want to go early,” Oliver said.
“She sprinted well and I think she’ll eventually get 2000 metres.”
Trainer Richard Laming sent Payroll north from his Cranbourne base with the intention of running in the Tatt’s Tiara which is restricted to fillies and mare.
“She probably should have come to the outside when she ran fifth last start and was on the wrong part of the track,” Laming said.
“All our plans are up in the air at the moment because of what’s been happening with the tracks.
“We were going to the Tatt’s Tiara. We’ll have a good think about it and see how she pulls up but it’s on the cards.”
