By Emma Berry
Despite Ciaron Maher's concern over the “visitor's draw, out in the car park” for his star filly Jameka (Aus) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) in the G1 James Boag's Premium Australian Oaks, the trainer remains delighted with the way the G1 Victorian Oaks winner has come out of last Saturday's G1 BMW Australian Derby, in which she finished second to Tavago (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), and she remains the one to beat in this Classic contest.
The form of the G1 New Zealand Derby has been royally franked by Tavago, which bodes well for Danica Guy's Oaks challenger Capella (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), who finished in front of him at Ellerslie and wasn't beaten far when fifth behind fellow Oaks contender Single Gaze (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) in the G1 Vinery Stud S. Mar. 26. In fact, the first six home at Rosehill just a fortnight ago will all lock horns again, with Single Gaze looking to retain her superiority over her nearest challengers Valley Girl (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) (second)–another to have narrowly beaten Tavago on home turf in New Zealand–Happy Hannah (Aus) (More Than Ready) (third), Self Esteem (Aus) (Stratum {Aus}) (fourth) and Honesta (Aus) (Monaco Consul {NZ}) (sixth).
As a granddaughter of Joie Denise (Aus) (Danehill), the Strawberry Hill Stud homebred Happy Hannah hails from one of the classiest families in the studbook, her dam Absolute Joy (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) being a half-sister to the 2003 winner of this race, Sunday Joy (Aus) (Sunday Silence), and to four-time Group 1 winner Tuesday Joy (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}), who was placed in both the Victorian Oaks and Australian Oaks. She has yet to be tested over 2400 metres, but recent performances suggest she will be cope well with this step up in trip.
The Stephen Marsh-trained Sofia Rosa (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) was beaten just a nose in the New Zealand Oaks three weeks ago and is worthy of respect, having posted two consecutive home wins prior to that in 2016.
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