YES IT'S ON TO THE PROVINCIAL MIDWAY CHAMPIONSHIPS
- John Curtis
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Hawkesbury trainer burst back into the city spotlight yesterday with his talented mare Oui Oui Oui, who clinched a metropolitan breakthrough at Royal Randwick.
Given a positive ride by Tom Sherry because of her wide draw (13 out of 14) in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m), the four-year-old daughter of Yes Yes Yes scored over the same course her sire had done in the 2019 The Everest.
Oui Oui Oui was Attard’s first Randwick success since now retired dashing front-runner Luvoir also overcame a wide barrier (12 out of 12) to lead throughout in a 1400m Benchmark 78 Handicap on December 30, 2023.
But it’s doubtful he will have to wait another two years to celebrate another victory at headquarters, given Oui Oui Oui’s performance yesterday.
As a $4.20 favorite, she surged clear over the closing stages to lead home an all-provincial outcome, defeating Kembla Grange trainers Mitch Beer and George Carpenter’s Mafia ($10) and Wyong trainer Wayne Seelin’s Apache Breeze ($71).
“That was her fourth win from eight starts, so we’re in a perfect situation to have a crack at the Provincial-Midway series,” Attard said today.
“We can still win another race with her prior to the series kicking off.
“Tom had to ride her a bit upside down yesterday because of the barrier, and I have no doubt she will relish 1400m when she can be given time to settle.”
Attard will have at least two options at home over 1400m to try to qualify the mare for the $1m PMC Final (1400m) at Randwick in April.
Hawkesbury will open the series with a Qualifier for both eligible provincial and Midway horses on Thursday, February 19, and then another Qualifier will be held on Saturday, March 7 for provincial horses only.
Attard described Oui Oui Oui as “pretty special”.
“She oozes class, and has a great personality,” he said.
“She has a bit of sass about her, which good horses have.
“I’ve liked her right from the beginning, and I’m sure there is further improvement in her.
“It’s been my best start to a season (Oui Oui Oui being his eighth winner and career 75th).”
Not only was Attard delighted to be back in the city spotlight, but was also thrilled for Oui Oui Oui’s breeder-owner Kate Nivison (Etak Thoroughbreds).
“That was Kate’s first winner at Randwick in her colours,” he said.
“She is a great supporter of my stable, and I was rapt to be able to do that for her.
“We enjoyed a good celebration afterwards.”
Attard will gauge Oui Oui Oui’s progress before deciding where to head next in search of a hat-trick as she won first-up at Newcastle over 1250m on November 20.
. HOOFNOTE: Attard continues to care for his 2015 Hawkesbury Gold Cup winner Sons Of John, who a few months later very nearly upset the mighty Winx in the Group 2 The Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens.
“Sons Of John is 15 now, and in good health,” Attard said.
“He is as fat as mud, and enjoys a pick of grass in his favorite paddock.
“Sons of John was such a warrior for the stable, and has a home here for the rest of his days.”