Queensland Oaks Goal for Fastnet Filly
A filly with Oaks written all over her, blue-blooded filly Dawn Wall (3f Fastnet Rock x Mennetou, by Entrepreneur) proved a class above in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet on Saturday, surging away from a big field to win by a length and a half.
The Chris Waller trained filly reeled off three consecutive wins in February and March culminating with a stylish victory in the Group III Arrowfield Kembla Classic (pictured) before hitting a heavy track in the Group I ATC Vinery Stakes when finishing sixth.
Given a short break after that assignment, Dawn Wall was well tuned with two recent trials under her belt and looked very comfortable when striding clear for Hugh Bowman to win as she pleased over improving filly The Pinnacle (3f So You Think x Spire, by Danehill).
The Group I BRC Queensland Oaks on June 10 is the logical target for Dawn Wall, whose trainer Chris Waller won the race in2015 with subsequent Australian Horse of the Year Winx.
"The Oaks is a lovely aim for her, that's obviously why she is here, and she showed today she has every chance to run the trip," Bowman said.
"It helped this afternoon she was on top of the ground and she was aided by a superb run.
"She made her own luck – she settled when I wanted her to settle, she picked up when I wanted her to pick up.
"She ticked all the boxes.
"It looks like she will improve into a better class race in the near future."
Dawn Wall was a $1.3 million Inglis Easter purchase from the Coolmore draft for BBA Ireland, on behalf of an ownership group that includes members of the Niarchos family in whose colours she runs.