Waller Enters Powerful Trio in Queensland Oaks

Master trainer Chris Waller is leaning toward Chispa (NZ) to continue her dramatic rise among his three-pronged assault as he pursues elite win number 202 in the June 6 Queensland Oaks (G1) at Eagle Farm Racecourse. Waller will saddle AU$7 chance Chispa, AU$3.60 favorite Panova (AUS), and AU$11 shot Soverato (NZ) in the AU$700,000 feature, a week after continuing his stunning top-tier accumulation with Providence (AUS) in the Queensland Derby (G1). But Waller June 4 nominated Chispa as, slightly, the pick of his trio in the important fillies' classic, albeit with the caveat that she'll need luck after a horrendous barrier draw. Three starts ago, Chispa was contesting a fillies and mares' benchmark 64 at Canterbury at her fourth start, finishing well to run fourth of nine over the 1,550 meters (about 7 3/4 furlongs). She followed with a 2 3/4-length win in a benchmark 64 at Kensington, appreciating the rise to 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles), and coming from near the back of the 10-horse field. That run rated strongly enough to ensure Chispa started a AU$3.80 favorite when elevated to stakes grade two weeks ago, when second in Doomben's The Roses (G2) behind Fireball Miss (AUS), flashing home again from her customary rearward position. Jamie Melham goes aboard Chispa but faces a stern test from the start with the filly having drawn gate 20, which would become barrier 15 of 18 if all five emergencies come out. Waller has won 21 group 1s this season, eclipsing his own Australian record of 19, set last term, with one of those coming from Panova in the Australasian Oaks (G1) April 25 at Morphettville Racecourse. Panova's quality has long been evident, with the filly winning back-to-back group 3s last spring at starts four and five, in the Reginald Allen Stakes (G3) and Carbine Club Stakes (G3). In the autumn, she appeared disappointing when seventh in the Vinery Stud Stakes (G1), rising from 1,500 meters at her previous run. But, as is so often the case, she showed the benefit of that initial 2,000-meter (about 1 1/4-mile) outing by winning the Australasian Oaks over the same trip at her next run. With more than a month passing since that Oaks, Panova had a top-up barrier trial May 25 at Warwick Farm, running fifth in the typically quiet Waller way. Waller is certainly not dismissing Panova's chances at Eagle Farm, where she's drawn ideally in gate 6 for the husband of Chispa's rider, Ben Melham. "She's come through, not just her win in South Australia, but the trip overall, really well," Waller said. "We've always thought she's a decent horse, and I think we've got her where we need her to be. Plus, she's drawn well, which helps." Ahead of a quality-stacked Oaks with many chances, Waller has also been impressed by Soverato. Debuted by Waller as a November 3-year-old, Soverato earned black type when second in the Adrian Knox Stakes (G3), then came a solid fifth in the Australian Oaks (G1) before a 2 1/2-length sixth in The Roses, steaming home from 13th at the turn. Soverato has barrier 8, with Ryan Maloney retaining the ride. "So all three of my horses are fit and well," Waller said. "I saw them all gallop at the Gold Coast on Tuesday morning and I couldn't have been happier with all three."