Trainer Jess Tubbs believes a more mature and stronger Golden Shooz is well placed to stay the distance in tomorrow night’s Group 1 Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Oaks Final.
The daughter of Captain Crunch peeled out from behind the leader Let Her Roll down the home straight in winning her heat last weekend in a mile rate of 1:56.7, the quickest of the two Oaks qualifiers.
Tubbs acknowledged the 2760m journey of the heat – and the final – had been unchartered territory for the three-year-old fillies.
“They hadn’t had any experience over the trip, and I was rapt with the way Golden Shooz was strong through the line after getting a little bit keen at times during the race,” Tubbs said.
Tubbs believes her filly is now seasoned enough to back up again over the staying distance a week later after pulling up well from her heat win.
“She used to tie up as a younger horse and hasn’t always found the line like she did in the heat, but with maturity she has handled the work a lot better this season and has a better understanding of racing,” she said.
“Now she has to do it again over the 2760 metres a week later.”
Golden Shooz is raced by first-time Larajay Farm clients Ian and Kath Sutherland, who bred the filly.
“Ian and Kath came out to have a look at the farm one day and then sent us this filly,” she said. “They have been very supportive to me after losing Greg (Sugars).”
Tubbs’ husband and champion reinsman Greg Sugars passed unexpectedly earlier this year in a devastating loss to the family and entire harness racing industry.
Golden Shooz has to contend with a second row draw tomorrow night, but Tubbs has the added benefit of the state’s leading driver, James Herbertson.
“I’ve had a chat with ‘Herbie’ and we’ll have more discussions towards the end of the week,” she said.
“But you have a few more options up your sleeve in a long race.”
Golden Shooz is quoted as a $6.50 chance behind Queensland Oaks winner Soho Americano ($2.30 favourite), who finished second in her heat behind Beach Diamond ($5.50) after facing the breeze for the final lap of the race.
