Oohood a Maiden No More?

[Chief Stipe]

With a third followed by a second in the first two Group 1 races of the juvenile season, the logical progression for the Tony McEvoy-trained Oohood (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) is first at her next start and that opportunity presents itself on Saturday in the G1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m) at Royal Randwick, Day 1 of The Championships. Oohood’s narrow second behind Estijaab (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) last start in the G1 Golden Slipper clearly highlights her class and with Zac Purton coming back from Hong Kong to once again partner the filly, a victory in the race will be the second elite level win for owner/breeder Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum in quick succession after last Saturday’s G1 Vinery Stud S. win of Hiyaam (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}).

A last start winner over 1400m in the G2 VRC Sires’, Not A Single Cent (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}), the colt will be trainer Ciaron Maher’s first Group 1 runner since his return from suspension, with the half-brother to Group 1 winner Happy Clapper (Aus) (Teofilo {Ire}) who contests the G1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) later in the day, a serious contender in the large field of juveniles.

Fifth in the Golden Slipper at her last start, Mick Price’s Seabrook (NZ) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) was only beaten just over two lengths by Estijaab and from a pedigree that indicates the trip should pose no concern, the Group 2-winning filly should get a good run from the inside barrier.

A winner over Oohood in the Listed Merson Cooper S. in November, the Hayes, Hayes and Dabernig-trained Long Leaf (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) raced wide in the Golden Slipper, making up plenty of ground down the outside of the field before the wide passage appeared to take its toll, weakening for sixth, but from barrier two on Saturday the colt looks right in the race.

While still a maiden after five career starts, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Spin (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}), has never finished further back than fourth–all at stakes level, and after looming up last start in the G3 Baillieu Quality on Mar. 31, the colt has picked a strong race to try and earn his first race win.

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