Shake It Mama stands in the way of Wayne Potter and his second Group 1 success in this Friday night's Australian Oaks
Trainer Wayne Potter will be out to secure his second Group 1 success on Friday night when he puts the polish on in-form Tombstone Eden in the Nevele R Stud Australian Oaks at Melton’s Tabcorp Park.
While the Avenel horseman says his filly will need “a lot of luck” in the 2240m feature, he’s just happy to “have one going good enough to be in the race”.
But on the strength of her last-start win at Bendigo, where she unleashed a whirlwind finish to knock over odds-on favourite Braeview Creation, the daughter of Armbro Operative looks a serious player for driver Daniel Jack on Friday night.
As soon as Tombstone Eden launched her bid for victory last start, taking off wide approaching the home turn, it was clear she wasn’t going to be beaten.
Tombstone Eden powered to the lead on straightening for the run to judge, drawing clear for a 2.2m triumph in 1:59.0.
“She’s pretty quick,” Potter said.
“She pulled a bit (last start) but she’s pretty good. I knew she’d win when she took off because Braeview Creation had done some work.
“She hasn’t been tested against the best yet and she’s pretty inexperienced, but it’s good to have one going good enough to be in the race.”
Potter admitted the Oaks hadn’t been a long-term plan for Tombstone Eden, instead he said the owners had decided to have a crack at a Group 1 because the filly was in such good form.
Potter’s first Group 1 triumph came 11 years ago with filly Her Sparky Self.
“It’s been a long time between drinks,” Potter said.
The powerhouse Emma Stewart stable holds the key to the Oaks.
The Smythes Creek star has three runners, with Shake It Mama drawn two for Chris Alford, Hexham Heartbeat to start from barrier 10 for John Caldow, and Beauty Secret outside the second row for Daryl Douglas.
All three Stewart runners have been awesome this time in, but Shake It Mama looks the most fearsome from a good barrier.
A winner of six of 12 starts this campaign, the daughter of Mach Three should press forward at the start and take a power of running down.
Beauty Secret has won four of her past five starts, but will have to work from the awkward draw.
Another trainer who will play a vital role in the Oaks is Monegeetta horsewoman Lisa Miles, who has two runners engaged.
Braeview Creation has had one run back from a break, finishing second to Tombstone Eden at Bendigo last start. But she was softened up on that occasion, having to do a power of work to find the lead early before being challenged throughout.
Stablemate Paintball has drawn nine and is coming off a second placing at Maryborough.
Meanwhile, New Zealand raider Twist And Twirl ran second to Shake It Mama at her first Australian run last time out after sitting in the breeze throughout.
The Oaks is scheduled to get under way at 9.42pm.