PMC FAVORITE READY TO MAKE A STATEMENT AT HOME
- John Curtis
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Ridden by her race jockey Tom Sherry, the four-year-old daughter of 2019 The Everest winner Yes Yes Yes showed she is bang on track for the series by overpowering her rivals in a 1207m heat at Warwick Farm last Tuesday.
Encouraged by her display, Hawkesbury trainer Jason Attard says the mare is ready to chase her fourth win on end in the opening 1400m PMC Qualifier (1400m) at her home track on Thursday week.
The first two placegetters will be the first two horses into the $1m Final (1400m) to be run at Royal Randwick on April 11 on Day 2 of The Championships.
Attard, enjoying his best ever start to a season, won his 11th race since August when Charlina ($2.20 favorite) broke through at Kembla Grange yesterday in the Provincial 3YO & Up Maiden Plate (1000m).
He spoke glowingly today about Oui Oui Oui’s progress since coming back into work from a short break after clinching a hat-trick in a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap over the PMC Final 1400m at Randwick on December 27.
“I was a little concerned she might be a bit fresh going into the Warwick Farm trial,” Attard said today.
“But she was great. She settled well and showed her customary neat turn of foot when Tom called on her in the straight.
“Oui Oui Oui has pulled up well, and will have a good gallop at Hawkesbury during the week.
“It’s all go for Thursday week, and by running in the first Qualifier (for both provincial and Midway horses), we have the option if she doesn’t finish in the first two of going to Hawkesbury’s second Qualifier (for provincial horses only) on March 7.”
Attard meanwhile sought advice from leading female jockey Rachel King before booking apprentice Olivia Chambers for Charlina’s Kembla Grange mission yesterday.
“Olivia has been coming to Hawkesbury to ride some work and in jumpouts one morning a week,” he said.
“Rachel has been closely associated with my stable, and I sent her a message asking how she felt Olivia would suit the filly.
“She gave her the thumbs up, and it was nice to reward Olivia for her hard work.”
Charlina gave her rivals no chance in the straight, surging clear for a dominant near three lengths’ victory over the Rob and Luke Price stablemates All Saints ($12) and Heart Reset ($31).
It was Charlina’s seventh start, and shedding her maiden status came after three minor placings.
Attard trains the Flying Artie filly on lease from well-known breeder Bob Hannon, who has retained a share in the syndicate which races her.
Hannon raced Charlina’s dam Charleah (by Myboycharlie) and granddam Little Zeta (by Commands). Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees trained both, and won a race each with the pair, at Muswellbrook (1000m in 2014) and Newcastle (900m in 2008) respectively.
“I have taken my time with Charlina,” Attard said. “She has a pretty extravagant action, but is heading in the right direction.
“She has just won her Maiden, and might have one or two more runs before going for break.
“There’s plenty of time ty try her in town next preparation if she continues to race well.”
