Own The Queen Reigns in WA Oaks

Mark Smith - Saturday March 30

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.

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Own The Queen gets the job done (image Western Racepix)

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.

Big night ahead (image Western Racepix)

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.

Own The Queen a $57,500 Perth Magic Millions yearling

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.

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Race Result - Drummond Golf - WA Oaks Gr3 2400m

Ascot Track: Good(4) Time: 2:32.02
1
Own The Queen
- 3f Awesome Rock (AUS) x Queen Of Choice (AUS) (Patronize (AUS))
Tnr: Ms J Erkelens Rdr: T Turner 55.5
2
0.5
Miss Skyhigh
- 3f Harry Angel (IRE) x Admiring (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: W Pike 55.5
3
0.5
Flash Of Dallas
- 3f Tavistock (NZ) x Smoothing (AUS) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: C Johnston-Porter 55.5
4
2.2
Warralea Lass
- 3f Playing God (AUS) x Lacie Locket (AUS) (Hala Bek (IRE))
Tnr: S J Wolfe Rdr: S Mc Gruddy 55.5
5
2.6
Starating
- 3f Press Statement (AUS) x Sweet Chestnut (AUS) (Congrats (USA))
Tnr: G J Kersley Rdr: Jordan Turner 55.5
6
2.6
She's Perfection
- 3f Lean Mean Machine (AUS) x Keysbrook (AUS) (So Secret (AUS))
Tnr: D L Morton Rdr: S Parnham 55.5
7
2.8
Queen Nardi
- 3f Adelaide (IRE) x Demon Queen (AUS) (Barely A Moment (AUS))
Tnr: A G Durrant Rdr: Lucy Fiore 55.5
8
5.6
Guess Who's Back
- 3f Stratum Star (AUS) x Withoutme (NZ) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Campbell McCallum Rdr: Holly Watson 55.5
9
8
Kinellins Legacy
- 3f Fiorente (IRE) x Parnissius (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Luke Fernie Rdr: Chris Parnham 55.5
10
21.9
Super Queen
- 3f Super One (AUS) x Queen Bey (AUS) (Blackfriars (AUS))
Tnr: Mack Hall Rdr: Keshaw Dhurun 55.5
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