HENRY Dwyer has no hesitation in labelling Oaks contender Tavi Bay a classier proposition than his 2014 Queensland Derby winner Sonntag and he is warming to the idea of repeating history on Saturday.
Tavi Bay won the same 2000m Caulfield lead-up race that Sonntag did before his Derby success and Dwyer believes she has the potential to reach greater heights than Sonntag.
“She has a bit more quality than Sonntag,’’ Dwyer said. “The form out of his race has only been average. He’s been able to win a Sale Cup since, but he’s no star. This filly has more scope than him and I think she will eat up 2400m.’’
The emerging young trainer said the Queensland Oaks had been on his radar for a long time but the trip hinged on her performing well at Caulfield last start.
“It’s a pretty expensive exercise flying them up there, so I like to test the waters before going,’’ he said. “I thought she needed to run top three against the boys at Caulfield to justify the trip.
“She drew badly and I thought she might have to give away a bit too much start but she was able to sit wide and win. I think that form is as good as the (Doomben) Roses.”
Tavi Bay is out to build on a remarkable season for her sire Tavistock, who has already had the Derby winners Tarzino (Victoria), Tavago (ATC) and Werther (Hong Kong) in the past seven months.
“She only cost $7000,’’ Dwyer said. “She was a pretty nondescript yearling and is nothing to look at, but she’s athletic and covers a lot of ground.’’
The one concern is the forecast for rain later this week and on Saturday. “Her pedigree says she should be a wet tracker, but the only time she ran on a wet track she ran badly,’’ he said.
“It’s possible it was just because she was at the end of her first preparation, but obviously I would prefer the rain doesn’t come given she’s failed before.’’
Dwyer was celebrating on Wednesday after his Group 1-winning mare Precious Gem sold for $825,000 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
“She was bought by the China Horse Club, who told me I can continue to train her,” Dwyer said. “She will run in the Stradbroke and the Tatts Tiara before retiring to stud.”
There was no good news for connections of Provocative on Wednesday, with Chris Waller deciding to start Mount Omei, leaving the fancied Kiwi filly first emergency at $8.50.
QUEENSLAND OAKS
Eagle Farm, Saturday, Race 7, 4pm
1 AMBIENCE J O’Shea J McDonald (21)
2 CHABAUD R Smerdon J Orman (14)
3 KEBEDE M Dunn J Byrne (5)
4 IMPOSING LASS B Baker J Collett (10)
5 BELUGA BLUE L Macdonald & A Gluyas G Colless (7)
6 SEBRING SALLY C Waller H Bowman (19)
7 SELF ESTEEM P & P Snowden T Clark (4)
8 ALASKAN ROSE M Moroney R Fradd (12)
9 QUEEN OF WANDS C Conners M Cahill (8)
10 DAWNIE PERFECT C Conners K McEvoy (22)
11 ASHLEE MARIE R Laming D Gauci (1)
12 FALKENBERG P & P Snowden B Shinn (3)
13 TAP THIS P & P Snowden C Reith (13)
14 TAVI BAY H Dwyer D Browne (16)
15 ROMANTIC MAID R James S Clipperton (15)
16 DULVERTON R Smerdon M Zahra (2)
17 ZASORCERESS J Warren D Griffin (17)
18 MOUNT OMEI C Waller C Symons (11)
19e PROVOCATIVE T Pike L Innes (20)
20e SAHARA SIREN A L Jones B Pengelly (18)
21e MERU P Carey — (9)
22e ZAFIKI R Smerdon — (6)
Article from Herald Sun