Ocean Park filly Ohope Wins joins elite Oaks club

There was no doubting the stamina or class of Ocean Park‘s daughter Ohope Wins as she charged to victory in Saturday’s A$1 million Australian Oaks at Randwick, adding another chapter to a remarkable season for both the filly and her sire Ocean Park.

Already a Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks winner, Ohope Wins became just the fourth filly to complete the New Zealand Oaks-Australian Oaks double, joining Domino, Bonneval (now owned by Garry Chittick) and Pennyweka in one of the rarest clubs in Australasian racing. Ohope Wins took her prizemoney to over A$1.49 million.

The result capped a season of steady progression for the tough three-year-old, who emerged as one of the country’s leading staying fillies through a run of victories in the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m), Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2100m) and the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m).

Bred by Gartshore Bloodstock, Ohope Wins is another elite performer to emerge from a family the Gartshores have developed patiently over many years.

Bill and Jim Gartshore have enjoyed a long association with Waikato Stud, and Bill says one of the best pieces of advice they ever received has stayed with them ever since.

“This one’s easy, on one of Jim’s and my first visits to Waikato Stud we met with Mark and Garry for about an hour and a half… When Jim and I were about to get into our vehicle to head back to Tauranga, Garry Chittick walked over to us and said, “Now, remember this is a great game played slowly.” That has stuck with Jim and me for over 15 years.”

That patience has paid off in a major way with Ohope Wins, who is out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Choux Mania. Choux Mania is a half-sister to both Jimmy Choux and Miss Wilson, giving Ohope Wins a pedigree stacked with class and proven middle-distance performance.

For Ocean Park, the result continues what has been one of the strongest seasons of his stud career. He currently sits third on the New Zealand sires’ premiership and has enjoyed a standout season through fillies such as Ohope Wins, Tellum and Autumn Glory.

Purchased by Yulong Investments after her first stakes win, Ohope Wins remained unbeaten through the remainder of her New Zealand campaign before making the move to Sydney to join Chris Waller following her Ellerslie Oaks success for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott.

Her Australian debut in the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes did not quite go to plan, with a slow tempo over 2000 metres leaving her with too much to do late. Back to 2400 metres at Randwick, however, she looked much more in her comfort zone.

Ridden quietly by James McDonald, Ohope Wins settled near the rear of the field as the leaders rolled along in front. While others came under pressure approaching the turn, McDonald still had a lapful of horse beneath him, and having to make up 15 lengths in the process.

Once balanced into the clear, Ohope Wins quickly surged into contention. Favourite backers still had a nervous few moments as Profoundly fought hard on the inside, but Ohope Wins kept lifting and edged clear over the final stages to score by a long neck.

“They ran the race really quickly, so it suited her down to the ground,” McDonald said. “I always had a plan to ride her quiet. We were fortunate that the pace went on and it never stopped, so it was going to be the toughest stayer that won, and that’s exactly what she was.”

“It didn’t quite go her way last start at Rosehill, which was a slowly run race. She’s a very gritty filly and showed that today, where she had enough on the line. The other two (placegetters Profoundly and After Summer) were brave, and it was lucky we were on a good horse.”

Waller said the foundations for the victory had already been laid before the filly arrived in his care.

“I can’t take all the credit,” he said. “Obviously, I’ve been entrusted with the horse by Yulong.”

“Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott did a great job with her before she came to me, plus they’ve given me a hand with her as well. Very friendly and very helpful, which we’ve got to thank them for.”

“It hasn’t been hard at all inheriting her for this Oaks campaign, because you know the horse is good enough. It was just about keeping it simple. We might not have got it quite right with the Vinery, but I think she just needed the run. Speaking with Lance O’Sullivan, the confidence he had in her – he said she’s one of the best horses he’s ever dealt with, so it’s a pretty big comment coming from him.”

“She’s a lovely filly that’s been gifted to us by the Yulong team and well done to Lance and Andrew for the job they did. We’ve just kept it simple with a very talented filly.”

Ocean Park looks incredible value this season at $15,000 plus GST.