Victorian trainer Luke Oliver admits the nerves are building as he prepares to saddle his first runner in a Group One race in Saturday’s $400,000 Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm.
Oliver’s lightly raced filly Khutulun was an $11,000 late entry fee for the Oaks after her luckless last start second behind the Queensland Derby-bound Sonntag at Caulfield.
Oliver’s biggest win to date came when veteran sprinter Royal Ida took out the 2010 G3 Standish Handicap at Flemington and says it is a massive thrill to have a horse competing at G1 level.“It’s ridiculously exciting - I’m just waiting for race day really,” Oliver said.
“Being my first Group One runner it’s good to go there thinking you’re some sort of chance.“I’m more nervous than usual this week. I really just can’t wait to get the race over and done with.”
Khutulun was purchased for $16,000 at the 2012 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale and was syndicated among 20 owners with many heading to Eagle Farm on Saturday.“Pretty much all of her owners have been at each of her five runs to date and I think 18 of them are going up to Queensland,” Oliver said.
“She’s won over $114,000 in her first preparation so she’s earned her trip and the late nomination.”She is drawn in barrier 22 for jockey Ben Melham, but Oliver said he was getting used to the daughter of Soldier’s Tale having no luck in the draw.
“She’s drawn pretty much the outside barrier at four of her five starts,” he said.“I imagine that we’ll roll the dice a little bit with her and go forward. That’s been our plan most of the time when she’s drawn wide.
“I’m certain that she’ll run out the trip strongly so we can probably afford to do a bit of work in the run knowing she can handle it.“From day one we thought she’d be a stayer. She probably surprised with her form over the shorter distances.”
Oliver said the Oaks really came onto his radar after Khutulun finished third at Caulfield two starts ago.“Being her first preparation we thought we’d maybe only get one more run out of her after her win at Sandown,” he said.
“It’s all in her first preparation but she’s just really tough and she comes through each run so well.“She’s had such a long first preparation that we’ll spell her in Queensland and give her a pretty decent rest.”
