Robert Smerdon is thrilled with the condition of three-year-old Chabaud and is confident the filly is a serious chance of success in the featured Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm Racecourse on Saturday.
Young hoop James Orman will take the ride on Chabaud in Saturday’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks. Photo: Daniel Costello
Chabaud has posted a number of impressive results for Smerdon through her short racing career so far, and enters the Queensland Oaks 2016 off the back of a career-best performance for success in the Group 3 SA Fillies’ Classic (2500m) at Morphettville a fortnight ago.
Understandably thrilled with the condition of the Lookin at Lucky filly, Smerdon told Racing Ahead he has no doubts she will handle what is likely to be a heavy track at Eagle Farm and will be perfectly suited to the Queensland Oaks conditions.
“I don’t think it matters to her, I think she copes with it quite alright with what we’ve seen of her,” Smerdon said.
“After Sydney she came back and went to the water walker for a week and had a bit of a freshen-up, but even prior to her last one we had the option for the Doomben Roses or Adelaide.
“She went to Adelaide and she was terrific, so on the back of that performance and the way she’s done since we’ve continued on, because they’re only three once so we continue to roll the dice.”
Last start hoop Dwayne Dunn has elected to remain in Melbourne this weekend seeking Victorian Jockey Premiership points, but Smerdon is pleased to have confirmed the services of classy young local hoop James Orman to ride Chabaud in the 2016 Queensland Oaks.
“We were left without a rider, but I’d seen James ride and saw where he sits on the table for a young rider, and I spoke to a few of the locals who watch the Brisbane scene more closely,” Smerdon said.
“He’s the number one seed according to their assessment.”
Chabaud produced a number of classy efforts upon resuming this time and made a successful transition to black type company when taking out the Listed Tasmanian Oaks (2100m) on February 21st.
Running on for a credible sixth in the talent-rich Noel Rundle Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield on March 26th, the filly out of Rockadubai charged home to finish fifth in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) on Day 1 of The Championships; placing fourth amongst open company in the Mother’s Day BM84 (2000m) in her only other start prior to the SA Fillies’ Classic.
Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best 2016 Queensland Oaks odds, for which Chabaud can be taken at a quote of $13 for success.
