Garry Newham trained Winning Ways lived up to her name at the Gold Coast on Saturday claiming the listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) on a heavy track.
The three-year-old filly opened as a $15.00 chance and has now won four from six starts at the Gold Coast to remain unbeaten over the trip.
Saturday’s win also made it three straight this prep, with Newham suggesting he’ll target the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on May 18 followed by the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) on June 1.
“The further she goes the better she’ll go, I just worried today, coming back in distance, but she loves the wet and the rider (Matthew McGillivray) has rode an absolute treat. Everything we asked him to do he done (sic)” Newham said.
“The 400m she was just traveling so easy. The Roses and Oaks path, yeah.”
Winning Ways has never raced at Group level but has since firmed from $21.00 into $9.00 with Ladbrokes ahead of next month’s Oaks race.
Punters can find faith in the fact the filly by Declaration of War handles the wet track, a factor that could come into play during what is normally a wet and heavy Brisbane Winter Carnival.
Saturday’s race was also a good indicator of things to come, as Newham’s hopeful wound up three wide at the turn to explode past $3.20 favourite Word for Word. A full Queensland Oaks market can be seen below.
