Provocative (NZ) Outstays Queensland Oaks Rivals

A tour de force by Zabeel filly Provocative (NZ) in Saturday’s A$500,000 Treasury Casino & Hotel Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm completed a stellar day for the New Zealand thoroughbred industry.

The Tony Pike-trained filly produced an exceptional staying performance and simply blew her rivals away.

Ridden by regular jockey Leith Innes, she surged forward from the rear with a sustained run around the outside of the field and quickly emerged as a leading contender at the top of the straight.

Innes went for gold on Provocative in the straight and no other filly could match her. The exciting filly forged clear of her 17 opponents for an emphatic victory.

“We got to the front a little bit soon, but I knew she was a really good stayer,” Innes said. “I had so much faith in this horse. She’s very quirky, but Tony Pike is a champion trainer.”

Provocative became the 45th individual Group One winner for Cambridge Stud’s late, great stallion Zabeel, equalling the tally achieved by his own champion sire Sir Tristram.

The win was Provocative’s fourth from seven career starts and lifted her earnings past $300,000.

“She was travelling into the race super from the 600, she was going really well at the corner and she just outstayed them,” Pike said. “To win two Group Ones in a day in Australia is unbelievable.”

Provocative’s dominant classic victory followed a Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) romp by Pike’s Karaka graduate Sacred Elixir (NZ) (Pour Moi). New Zealanders had earlier cheered a tenacious win by Benzini (Tale of the Cat) in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m).

There was also a Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) second placing for Karaka graduate Rodrico (NZ) (High Chaparral), raced by New Zealanders Mark Wyborn and Robin Peel-Walker who also own Provocative.

“All the owners want to do is win a Derby,” Innes said. “They came second in the Derby today, but hopefully they won’t mind getting an Oaks instead!”

Bred by Nearco Stud, Provocative is one of three foals to race from the O’Reilly mare Betwixt (NZ) and all three are winners.

Provocative was offered by Curraghmore at the 2014 Premier Sale at Karaka, where she was purchased by Paul Moroney Bloodstock for $250,000.