Having brained her rivals in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks, the Jim Wallace-trained Pennyweka destroyed her rivals in the Group 1 Australian Oaks.
The three-year-old Kiwi filly was forced to travel three wide the trip, but the fact she had cover throughout proved beneficial late on.
Damian Lane was sitting like a statue on the filly when turning for home and despite being challenged 200m out from home by eventual runner-up So Dazzling, the filly found another gear that her rivals could not match to win going away from her rivals to win by 1.75 lengths over the 2400m.
Saturday’s win handed Damian Lane a second straight win in the race, having partnered Danny O’Brien’s El Patroness to glory in the race 12 months prior.
Pennyweka became the fourth favourite to win the Group 1 staying race for fillies in the past six years, following in the footsteps of Verry Elleegant, Unforgotten and Bonneval.
2023 Group 1 Australian Oaks Replay – Pennyweka
Pennyweka continued the impressive results of three-year-old fillies in Group 1’s in Sydney, following in the footsteps of Prowess who claimed the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes.
“They’re pretty good,” said trainer Jim Wallace when asked about the current crop of three-year-olds from New Zealand.
Despite the tough run three wide, Wallace was not concerned that the filly would be vulnerable late.
“We talked about it before with Damian (Lane) and I said as long as you’ve got a back to follow, she’ll be right, I think she’ll stay the trip,” said Wallace.
Damian Lane, who registered yet another Group 1 victory was full of praise for both trainer and horse.
“Well done to Mr Wallce (trainer Jim) she was exceptional. Obviously well prepared, she’s been going great over the ditch (in New Zealand). I was the only horse travelling on the corner and we put them to the sword in the straight.
“I’ve ridden enough New Zealand horses and had enough success on them to know that what you see is not always what you get.
“What she is is just tough, big heart. Heart bigger than herself,” said a jubilant Lane.
Jim Wallace confirmed that Pennyweka would now head to the paddock for a well-deserved spell following her consecutive Group 1 successes.
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