Purple achieves her trainer’s goal
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The winner of the Queensland Oaks for 2009 was Purple
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The heavily backed favourite Purple pleased all connections by claiming the Group 1 Conrad Treasury Queensland Oaks 2400m at Eagle Farm on Saturday, May 30.
The favouritism wasn’t just because of the number of ladies on course for Oaks Day picking their favourite colour, this Group 1 winning filly had already proved herself over a heavy track in the Storm Queen Stakes at Rosehill.
The three-year-old filly achieved the feat for the Darley stable and trainer Peter Snowden believed the wet track was in their favour.
“She’s been ultra consistent all the way through,” said Snowden.
“I know it’s just another wet track for her but her run last week was terrific and that was on a good track.
“I’m just really wrapped, really pumped.”
The win for Purple (F3 Commands-Lady Viola NZ) came after an unsuccessful seventh in the AJC Oaks and a third in the Doomben Roses.
“In the AJC Oaks I just felt she did a bit too much,” said Snowden. “A first time at a mile and a half is always difficult. She did all the donkey work, but today we were always in our mind going to sit off something, give her a breather and she got it fine.
“It’s a race we picked out back in November. We targeted the Queensland Oaks and she did a great result for us.
“I was very mindful of how many runs she had before she got here. That’s only her sixth run today this prep.
“It was no afterthought. We were always coming here to win this race.”
From barrier six, Purple got into a good position in the race behind the leaders and claimed the win a length and a quarter in front of Nothin’ Leica Cat (Damien Oliver).
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Kerrin McEvoy proudly displays his second Group 1 win in Queensland (Noel Pascoe photos)
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Walk in the Park (Larry Cassidy) defied her $51 odds to loom up in the straight but settled for third by a length and a quarter.
Kerrin McEvoy was in the saddle again to guide the filly to victory.
“She travelled well in a good spot,” he said. “She’s just genuine and honest. She won a Group 1 in Sydney during the autumn and now here during the Winter Carnival.
“She ran really well last time (Doomben Roses).
“Today we were drawn better and she got her preferred surface so it worked out really well.
“Coming to the turn I knew she’d kick really well. Peter had her turned out terrific for today’s race and it’s great to get an Oaks win with her.”
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Hollie Roberts – June 1
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