Kiwi Fillies Fare Well In The Oaks

New Zealand breeding had another successful day at Randwick yesterday with kiwi-bred fillies finishing both second and third in the $700,000, Group I, Emirates AJC Australian Oaks.

Mike Moroney, trainer of French Lady (Entrepreneur x Le Tebaldi) who finished second, was very pleased with the result saying that the filly is very tough and that he expects improvements. After the race jockey Greg Childs said that he thought he had the race won at the 600m mark but the winner, Wild Iris (Spectrum x Wild Violet), was just too good.

Post race, Moroney said that French Lady, who was recently purchased by American George Strawbridge, would be aimed for the Hollywood Oaks. He later said a run in the Queensland Oaks may be a possibility.

Following her fifth in the Group I Arrowfield Stakes, Boulevardofdreams (Dagger's Drawn x Faustina) ran on from the back of the field after missing the start by several lengths. Into the straight she struggled to get a clear run but managed to steam home for third. Trainer Wayne Hillis, was very happy with the run and said that the filly would be returning to New Zealand on Thursday. Boulevardofdreams won the Gr. 2 Championship Stakes in February, the last leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year series.

The time for the Oaks was 2.30.55 on a dead track; the last 600m was run in 37.03.