2016 Australian Oaks Winner Sofia Rosa for Bowman

April 9, 2016

2016 Australian Oaks Winner Sofia Rosa for Bowman

The New Zealand-trained three-year-olds continued their successful raid on the staying features of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival and hoop Hugh Bowman enjoyed another Randwick win on Day 2 of ‘The Championships’ aboard Sofia Rosa in the Australian Oaks 2015.

Sofia Rosa

New Zealand-trained filly Sofia Rosa blitzed her rivals down under winning the 2016 Australian Oaks at Randwick on Day 2 of ‘The Championships’. Photo: Steve Hart.

Last weekend it was Tavago winning the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) off a NZ Derby run, and seven days later the Stephen Marsh-trained Makfi filly Sofia Rosa did the same taking out the $1 million Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) in her maiden run down under.

The maturing young stayer was narrowly beaten in a devastating blow for connections when a nose off Fanatic in the Group 1 NZ Oaks (2400m) on March 19.

She made the trip to Sydney looking to atone in the ATC Oaks, and was fired-up before the race.

Caught wide throughout the run she and Bowman, who saluted in his third Australian Oaks following previous wins aboard Daffodil (2009) and Streama (2012), had work to do.

A genuine fighter, Sofia Rosa dug deep and got the job done for the same connections as 2014 Australian Oaks winner Lucia Valentina.

The hot favourite for this season’s Oaks was Jameka coming off the ATC Derby second, who from the outside alley was snagged back to last soon after the jump.

The field was led around by Self Esteem setting a genuine pace, jockey Mark Zahra letting her roll along in front of the likes of the Vinery Stud Stakes runner-up Valley Girl and the Kerrin McEvoy-ridden Believe who moved into a clear third.

Hugging the rails in fourth was the John Thompson-trained Honesta, second to Jameka in last year’s Crown Oaks, with Happy Hannah just off those for Team Snowden.

At the 1000m mark jockey Damien Oliver started to take Jameka a little closer, while the lightly-raced Anthony Cummings-trained Fastnet Rock filly Believe worked her way into second.

Down the side of the track and approaching the turn Sofia Rosa started to come, with Happy Hannah also picking up at the 600m.

On the straight a nasty fall from the Vinery Stud Stakes winner Single Gaze saw jockey Kathy O’Hara hit the track, and a couple of runners get caught back.

Up front away from trouble John O’Shea’s daughter of Street Cry Ambience, third in the Crown Oaks, started to poke through on the middle as Jameka gave them a big start.

Sofia Rosa ($5) dug deep after the hard run and hit the lead and was first past the post in a brave effort from Ambience ($31) who had James McDonald in the saddle, while Believe ($71) ran the surprise run of the race to cross third at big odds.

It was Bowman’s fourth win of the day and he did it on a filly covering ground three deep with nearly no cover throughout the whole run.

“A great day,” Bowman said, before commenting on how tricky a horse Sofia Rosa was to ride.

“I’ve ridden some difficult horses in my time, but this one takes the cake.

“I’ll tell you what she has got, she has got some fight.”

Owner Lib Petagna, who named the filly after his great niece, was thrilled to win another Oaks and described Sofia Rosa as “very tough”.

“It’s a brilliant experience,” he said.

“Particularly after the disappointment of the New Zealand Oaks.

“She is very, very tough.

“We only paid $65,000 for her and $60,000 for Lucia Valentina.”

Marsh was also very happy with the filly’s efforts and said a spell before a Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival was now on the cards with Sofia Rosa likely to target the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October.

“It’s always nice when it happens like that,” he said.

“She was good to the line so very proud of her.

“She’s going to be better again as a four-year-old mare.”

Did you back this year’s Australian Oaks winner through Ladbrokes.com.au? If not then you might not have got the best price! So sign-up with them today to make sure you’ve got access to the rest of the carnival’s premier racing markets!

2016 Australian Oaks Results & Finishing Order

Randwick Race 6 – 09/04/2016

Place # Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Br. Wgt. SP
1 7 SOFIA ROSA (NZ) Stephen Marsh Hugh Bowman 11 56kg $4.80
2 5 AMBIENCE John O’Shea James McDonald 0.5L 3 56kg $41
3 14 BELIEVE Anthony Cummings Kerrin McEvoy 0.7L 10 56kg $61
4 1 JAMEKA Ciaron Maher Damien Oliver 1.2L 14 56kg $3.20F
5 11 CHABAUD (NZ) Robert Smerdon Tommy Berry 1.6L 2 56kg $26
6 6 VALLEY GIRL (NZ) Donna Logan & Chris Gibbs Brett Prebble 1.7L 9 56kg $12
7 10 CAPELLA (NZ) Danica Guy Opie Bosson 2.2L 13 56kg $14
8 4 SACRED EYE David Hayes & Tom Dabernig Nicholas Hall 2.9L 1 56kg $41
9 12 SELF ESTEEM Peter & Paul Snowden Mark Zahra 3.2L 12 56kg $51
10 3 HONESTA John P Thompson Craig Williams 3.9L 7 56kg $9.50
11 9 ALASKAN ROSE (NZ) Michael Moroney Dwayne Dunn 4.1L 5 56kg $21
12 8 DIAMOND MADE Bruce Cross Glyn Schofield 4.2L 4 56kg $41
13 13 HAPPY HANNAH Peter & Paul Snowden Blake Shinn 12.6L 6 56kg $7
F 2 SINGLE GAZE Nick Olive Ms Kathy O’Hara 8 56kg $13
16 AURORA’S STAR Anthony Cummings 0
15 ZASORCERESS (NZ) Jason Warren Damian Lane 0

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapat...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: L...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse extended her record to eight victories in the 2024...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winne...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Veight joined an elite list of three-year-olds to beat home the older horses...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results:...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Chris Waller’s VRC Derby winner from the spring, Riff Rocket, now has the...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Vi...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Via Sistina Too Good Debuting for Waller

Yu Long Investments lucrative European purchase, the now Chris Waller-trained...

Race Results

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapateo Upsets Sunshine In Paris

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Imperatriz Defends Title in 2024 William Reid Stakes

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Race Previews

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off

Fields & Form

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off