Stable star Asfoora ran a terrific third in Saturday’s Group 1 Oakleigh Plate, held at its temporary home of Sandown for just the second time. Dwyer’s four-year-old mare gave her all in the 1100-metre sprint, beaten under a length in the fastest time ever recorded in the feature race, dating back to 1884. The pre-race plan to sit outside or just off the speed was soon forgotten when she was uncharacteristically tardy at the start and key speed rival Zoustyle flew to an early lead. Jockey Jye McNeil allowed his runner to find her feet and muster through the field, settling sixth in the run, over five lengths from the tearaway leader. McNeil clicked Asfoora into gear at the 400-metre mark and set about reeling in the leaders, making her run with eventual victor Uncommon James and looking a real winning chance at the furlong. The winner pulled away late though and runner-up Lofty Strike arrived with fresh legs to consign Asfoora to third, an excellent effort first time in this company. McNeil lamented the start post-race. “It was a great performance. She just slipped at the start and that put us further back than anticipated but it was a brave effort”. It was a case of what could have been for trainer Dwyer, who was philosophical Saturday night. “While initially it was deflating going close and not winning and not having the greatest of luck, when you dissect the race, the horse that ran second probably had less luck than us”, he said. “You can’t be too disappointed. She’s run out of her skin, right up to her best as we’d hoped she would.”
“If the race was run at Caulfield she probably wins, but that’s just another vaguery of racing that wasn’t on our side today.”
Dwyer is unsure where his star mare will step out next, but did indicate she will be kept fresh between runs and he will carefully pick the best options for her. “We need to run her in the right races and not waste a run with her”.
“We’ve got to walk away from today thinking we’ve got a Group-1 quality mare. There’s a Group-1 at some stage for her”.