Gust Of Wind Blows Away Rivals in AUS Oaks
Description:
Lightly regarded Gust Of Wind trounced a strong field of 11 to earn her first stakes win—coming at the highest level—in the AUS$1 million Seven News Australian Oaks (Aus-I) April 11, Day 2 of The Championships at Royal Randwick.
The New Zealand-bred daughter of Darci Brahma won by 2 1/2 lengths from favorite Winx, with pacesetter Candelara third in the 10-field, the latter two both group winners.
Ridden by Tye Angland for trainer John Sargent, Gust Of Wind has three wins from five starts for owner O. J. Wong.
Candelara led for most of the trip while Rustic Melody, Thunder Lady, and Winx chased close up. There was little change in the order until approaching the home turn as Candelara still led Rustic Melody, but with Wildenstein handy and Gust Of Wind taking closer order.
New Zealand Oaks (NZ-I) winner Savaria was hampered at the start, trailing second-last early on, but gradually made up ground. In the stretch, however, Gust Of Wind clapped on the speed and shot away, with Winx and Candelara unable to match the flying filly. Rustic Melody hung on for fourth, and Savaria finished sixth under James McDonald.
Gust Of Wind was timed in 2:32.40 for 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) on soft turf.
Breaking her maiden Feb. 23 at Scone in her second career start, Gust Of Wind subsequently won March 10 at Hawkesbury before checking in fourth to Candelara in the Adrian Knox Stakes (Aus-III) April 6 at Royal Randwick.
Gust Of Wind, whose dam is the stakes-placed Sadler's Wells mare Starrystarrynight, was bred in New Zealand by W. K. Chow and sold to A.S. Ng for NZ$90,000 at the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock premier yearling sale at Karaka. Wentwood Grange consigned as agent. Her dam is a full sister to 2002 Irish One Thousand Guineas third-place finisher Starbourne.