Local trainer Justin King is quietly confident it will be a matter of third time lucky when he rugs up Miss Sueko for Saturday night’s Group 3 Unibet Oaks Final at Richmond.
Miss Sueko has a near perfect box two draw after coming from an unsuitable box six position to win her heat.
“She is the third Richmond Oaks finalist I have started,’’ King said.
“I had previously qualified for the big one with Crazy Lass and Crazy Mover but they were both beaten.
“I couldn’t be happier with Miss Sueko’s form because she won in 29.94 at Wentworth Park before coming from midfield to win her Oaks heat in 30.88.
“Star Torana has box one but Miss Sueko ran her down to win her heat last week so even if my bitch can’t get around her in the run to the first turn she has shown she is capable of finishing strongly.
“Miss Sueko has won five races at Wentworth Park but Richmond is her favourite track.
“She was virtually educated there so she really likes the place.’’
Zipping Abby surprised even trainer Ron Seymour by jumping in front to win her heat in 31.01 and can improve in the final despite drawing box four.
“The box could be better but we can’t do anything about that,’’ Seymour said.
“But if she comes out like she did last week she has a good chance because she had not seen Richmond for over six months prior to her heat win.
“She won there early in her career and has since qualified for four big race finals and consolation finals without success.
“Her box manners have cost her dearly in several Wentworth Park races so I was shocked when she began smartly in her Oaks heat.
“Hopefully she will nail the start again this week.’’
Seymour rates Chica Destacada (pictured), box five, and fastest (30.61) heat winner Rue De Kahn, box six, as the hardest to beat.
Chica Destacada chased Rue De Kahn all the way in her heat but they each have awkward draws in final because Wuxi, box three, and Zipping Abby in four, want to get up the track.
Recent Dubbo Cup winner Fancy Top will start from box eight but is better drawn inside and may struggle to cross the field while Star Torana (box one) will look to improve on last week's heat run where she ran second to Miss Sueko from box five.
Jeff's Richmond Oaks Selections:
1. Miss Sueko
2. Chica Destacada
3. Zipping Abby
4. Rue De Khan
