The short-priced favourite Own The Queen did it the hard way in Saturday’s Group III Drummond Golf - WA Oaks (2400m) at Ascot, extending her winning sequence to five.
Ridden by Troy Turner for Justine Erkelens, the daughter of Awesome Rock failed to settle in the early stages and was taken back to last. With the field spread out, Own The Queen was set to an all-out drive at the 600m and was widest of all on the home turn.
Own The Queen knuckled down to her task admirably to defeat the Harry Angel (IRE) filly Miss Skyhigh by a long-neck with the Tavistock filly Flash Of Dallas a half-head back in third.
It was a third win in the classic for Turner.
“She’s come a long way and it’s a credit to Justine and her crew. It wasn’t n easy task getting her here,” troy Turner said.
“I feel we got to the bottom of her today. She’s had a bit in reserve in previous wins, but today, she needed to dig deep and found the line strong.
“She is a bit awkward with a bit of a rubber neck, but if I set her alight, she would be pulling three and four deep, so I got her to chill. I was concerned how strung out they were, but I got on to the back of Pikey and knew I had him covered.
With a sweep of the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas, Listed Natasha Stakes and Group III WA Oaks, Own The Queen has banked $442,790.
Her lone defeat came at her first start when a troubled eighth over 1400m at Ascot in December in what has proven to be a high-quality maiden.
The daughter of Awesome Rock was a $57,500 buy for John Chalmers Bloodstock (FBAA)/Erkelens Racing from the Western Breeders Alliance draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
She is the best of four winners from as many to race for the 4-time winning Patronize mare Queen Of Choice, from the family of Group III MVRC CS Hayes Stakes winner Cannibal King.
Team Dupre bought an I’m All The Talk half-brother to Own The Queen for $22,000 at the 2023 Perth Winter Yearling Sale.
After foaling a Playing God coly last spring, Queen Of Choice revisited the high-flying son of Blackfriars.
Own The Queen is one of five stakes-winners for Gold Front Breeding & Racing’s Group 1 winning Fastnet Rock stallion, Awesome Rock.
