New Zealand’s star filly Leica Lucy will test her talent against Australia’s best on Saturday when she heads to Randwick in a bid to double her Oaks tally.
The daughter of Derryn was a near unstoppable force in New Zealand, defeated in just one of her seven starts for former trainer Robbie Patterson, culminating in victory in last month’s $1 million Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham.
She has made her way across to Sydney where she has joined leading trainer Chris Waller’s Rosehill barn, and her new handler has been pleased with the way she has settled into her new environment.
“She has had a long prep, but obviously a very successful preparation,” Waller told Trackside. “Robbie Patterson has done an amazing job with her, not just to win the Group One, but to get her on that path and be the best filly in New Zealand. It’s an honour to be taking over from Robbie.
“Since being here, she has settled in really well. She is eating well and has put on weight and adapted well to Sydney.”
Leica Lucy will face her stiffest task in Saturday’s A$1 million Australian Oaks (2400m) where she will be met by the Matt Laurie-trained Treasurethe Moment, who has won her last seven outings, including the Gr.1 Victoria Oaks (2500m).
Waller said there are a few unknown variables heading into the weekend, but he is looking forward to seeing the contest between the two fillies.
“It’s her (Leica Lucy) first run right-handed, but on the track she seems fine, she is getting used to it,” he said. “We have got James McDonald aboard, a good draw (1) and what looks to be a very good edition of the Oaks with Treasurethe Moment being the pin-up girl for Australia.
“New Zealand’s pin-up girl and Australia’s pin-up girl are ready to clash.”
The question was raised whether to press on towards the Australian Oaks with Leica Lucy following a busy schedule in her homeland, but Waller said all signs point towards a bold showing in her Australian debut.
“I have got confidence that she will run up to her best based on her body language and eating well,” he said.
“I can’t change her or improve her or make her go any worse. We are relying on her ability, which is the best filly in New Zealand at the moment, coming to Australia and bringing that form.
“We have kept things simple. She has run over 2400m already, just three weeks ago, so based on that I am just banking on her turning up.”
