You Wahng gives Kris Lees a third Queensland Oaks
After racing with merit against top–notch fillies throughout the year, You Wahng (So You Think) was not to be denied in Saturday’s Queensland Oaks (Gr 1, 2200m), gamely fending off Pinito (Trapeze Artist) to give her trainer Kris Lees a third win in the race.
Third in the Australian Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) at Randwick in April when beaten just 0.8 lengths by star three-year-old Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express), You Wahng came into the Eagle Farm contest off the back of a fifth-placed finish in the ANZ Bloodstock News The Roses (Gr 2, 2000m) behind Philia (All Too Hard) – who was sent off the $4.40 favourite for Saturday’s Group 1.
Rated a $21 chance herself, the daughter of So You Think (High Chaparral) ambled to the lead off the home bend under Tommy Berry and was able to repel the menacing challenge of Godolphin’s Pinito, coming out the defiant 0.2-length winner.
Australasian Oaks (Gr 1, 2000m) winner Benagil (Manhattan Rain) finished another 0.6 lengths back in third after incurring some traffic in the straight.
Meanwhile, Philia finished eighth, with Kerrin McEvoy commenting that his filly failed to muster early speed and was unable to take up a suitable position in the run.
“Lovely ride from Tommy,” Lees, who also won the Classic with Amokura (Kermadec) in 2023 and Vitesse Dane (Danewin) in 2005, said.
“He was able to get us straight across from the gate and got into a lovely position in running.
“He had a lot of horse coming to the corner, but I was always just a little guarded that last furlong when she presented, but she was able to find under pressure.”
Lees added a tongue–tie to the filly after she finished last at Gosford before her The Roses run, which the Newcastle trainer put down to her being fresh.
“She ran really well in an ATC Oaks,” he said.
“I think she was very plain at Gosford when we just gave her a fresh run. We applied a tongue-tie, and it’s really worked out well.”
Riding his first Queensland Oaks winner, Berry added: “She was a little bit underdone last-start [in The Roses] with the let-up between the Sydney Carnival and here. She just felt so much more relaxed. She was just ready to go today, so it was a brilliant training performance.
“I really timed my run today, and lucky she’s only half-a-horse wide because she could take them sticky little tight runs, but it’s just unbelievable. It’s awesome to do it.”
Bred by Wall Street Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd, You Wahng was purchased from the Riversdale draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Yearling Sale for $150,000 by her trainer and Bahen Bloodstock.
One of three winners from four to race out of Casino Prince (Flying Spur) mare Wahng Wah, You Wahng (3 f So You Think – Wahng Wah by Casino Prince) is a sister to Princess Stakes (Listed, 1615m) winner Street Gossip.
Wahng Wah has since produced a juvenile Pierro (Lonhro) filly named Listen Sweetheart, and a weanling brother to You Wahng.
Now the sire of 62 stakes winners – with You Wahng becoming his 12th individual winner at Group 1 level, Coolmore’s So You Think will stand the upcoming season for a fee of $44,000 (inc GST).