Racing: Stewarts have Oaks in mind

Include strolls away to win the $12,500 Guineas Prelude in the hands of Courtney Barnes at...
Include strolls away to win the $12,500 Guineas Prelude in the hands of Courtney Barnes at Wingatui yesterday. Photo by Matt Smith.
You could certainly forgive White Robe Lodge stud managers Wayne and Karen Stewart aiming high with Include.

The North Taieri-bred daughter of Gallant Guru is serving two purposes on the track after yesterday's win in the 1400m Guineas Prelude at Wingatui yesterday.

Not only is she forming an outstanding record for the Stewarts, with three wins from four starts, but she is also doing a good job for her sire, who stands at White Robe Lodge.

The Stewarts bought Include's dam, She's Snubbed, at a mixed bloodstock sale in 2007, with the clear plan of finding a mare who would match Gallant Guru, who had just arrived at White Robe Lodge.

Wayne Stewart said his wife, Karen, thought She's Snubbed's bloodlines were a good fit.

''We were just trying to find a mare that would match him,'' Stewart said.

''She's an O'Reilly mare and we're big fans of O'Reilly anyway.''

Stewart recalled an old adage from his father-in-law, Brian Anderton, who co-trains the 3yr-old filly with his son, Shane. Stewart had bred She's Snubbed to Gallant Guru for two years before having a crack again.

''Brian always said to me `go three times' so that was the third time lucky.''

Include had a break after she ran eighth at Riccarton in late October, which Stewart said had done her the world of good.

''She had that mishap . . . when she got away [from the jockey] before the race,'' he said.

''But she looked strong today. She's a lot bigger and stronger now than the last time in.''

It is a pleasing sign when a horse fights back when the challengers come, and Include responded when Perfect Prospect loomed up in the middle of the track, which was certainly the place to be yesterday.

The 3yr-old found another gear over the last 100m, galloping away with minimal effort to win by 3 lengths, confirming she is at home on both dry and wet tracks.

''That's the thing about Include - it looks like she could handle any sort of going. In the summer time, you can get a wet track any day of the week.

As for the Stewarts' aims, a certain 2400m race for 3yr-old fillies at Trentham in late March would be just fine with Wayne Stewart.

''I'd like to win the Oaks,'' Stewart said.

''She gives the impression she will stay. She's a big, relaxed filly.''

The New Zealand Oaks is on Brian Anderton's bucket list and he hopes the filly could head that way following lead-up races in the Gore and Dunedin Guineas in the next six weeks.

 

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