Talented staying filly You Wahng sent her future broodmare soaring when she scored the toughest of wins in Saturday’s Gr1 A$700,000 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm.
You Wahng (Tommy Berry) wins the Gr1 Queensland Oaks (Pic – Magic Millions)
Placed in the Australian Oaks at Randwick behind staying sensation Treasurethe Moment three runs back in mid-April, You Wahng went two spots better in Saturday’s Queensland fillies classic.
The Kris Lees-prepared daughter of So You Think ran a close up fifth in her Oaks lead up run in the recent Group Two The Roses. It was that run that gave rider Tommy Berry a great guide on how to best ride her this time around.
“Yeah, look, lovely ride from Tommy,” Lees said. “He was able to get us straight across from the gate and got into a lovely position in running.”
“He had a lot of horse coming to the corner, but I was always just a little guarded for that last furlong when she presented, but she was able to find under pressure.”
“She ran really well in an ATC Oaks, I think she was very plain at Gosford when we just gave her a fresh run. We applied a tongue tie, and it’s really worked out well. She’s reacted well in it.”
“She probably got to him a bit early in the Roses, so Tommy was adamant we just needed to hold her up for a furlong sprint and he produced her at the right time today,” Lees added.
Lees purchased You Wahng in partnership with leading international bloodstock agent Justin Bahen for A$150,000 from the Riversdale draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The filly was reared at Nick Hodges’ Riversdale property on behalf of his good friend, breeder Jeremy Kessell.
For Berry the Oaks win, not surprisingly, gave him great satisfaction.
“Great to do it for Kris,” a delighted Berry said. “We always had a great relationship and I have ridden for him on and off for a long time.”
“I remember he said, ‘I want you to ride this filly in the Kembla Grange Classic over a mile, I think she’s got something, I think she’ll be my Oaks filly’.”
“She was a little bit underdone last start with the let up between the Sydney Carnival and here.”
“She just felt so much more relaxed. She was just ready to go today. So it was a brilliant training performance.”
“I learned my lesson last start. I got there too early on her. I really timed my run today and lucky she’s only half a horse wide because she could take them sticky little tight runs but it’s just unbelievable, it’s awesome to do it.”
“I wish I had my family here but they’re all in Canberra for Sharnee’s Dad’s birthday and Izzy, so happy birthday Izzy, I love you guys, can’t wait to see you all,” Berry added.
A daughter of globetrotting two time Cox Plate winner So You Think (High Chaparral), You Wahng is the second stakes winner produced by her dam Wahng Wah.
A five time winning daughter of Casino Prince – including three at metro level in Sydney – Wahng Wah has produced five runners to the track. Aside from You Wahng she is the dam of the Listed Princess Stakes winner Street Gossip.
Wahng Wah in turn is from a lightly raced Encosta de Lago mare who produced multiple stakes winner Warranty who is a three quarter sister to Niagara and half sister to Gathering, Florentina and California Turbo.
Florentina, a winner of the Gold Coast Guineas at Group Three level, is the dam of four-time United Stakes Group One winner In Italian.
Winner: You Wahng
Breeding: So You Think-Wahng Wah (Casino Prince)
Race: BRC Queensland Oaks Gr1 (2200m)
Sold for: A$150,000
Sale: 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Earnings: A$596,900
Breeder: Wall Street Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd
Vendor: Riversdale (As Agent)
Buyer: Lees Racing / Bahen Bloodstock
Owners: R Power, JDG Van Doorn, Six Racing, M Cossettini, GM Harris, Mrs LA Harris, Ms DG McLoughlin, GT Lawler, RD Moore, Morley Racing, Mrs EM Morley, DW Morley, Gibbs Family Racing, Lees Racing Pty Ltd & Esky Black Racing
Trainer: Kris Lees (Gold Coast)
