She might be an outsider but Queensland Oaks contender Tornado Miss has boosted her connections’ confidence with a stirring track workout this week.
Tornado Miss is at double figure odds to win the Group One race on Saturday but trainer Tony Gollan couldn’t be happier with her and is puzzled by her price.
At her last start Tornado Lass ran third in the Doomben Roses behind Arabian Gold and Tinto who are the first and second favourites for the Oaks.
“I know they were saying the track was leader biased when she was third in the Roses,” Gollan said.
“But she was forced to go hard the whole way and to stick on for third was a great effort.
“I was really pleased with her work on Tuesday morning and she has licked out the feed bin since.”
Tornado Miss also raced well in the other traditional Oaks lead-up, the Gold Coast Bracelet, in which she was fourth.
“She was in the wrong part of the track for much of that race on a very heavy track but kept battling away,” Gollan said.
Tornado Miss is by noted sprinting sire Snitzel but she has always indicated she would get over ground.
Melbourne jockey Craig Newitt has stuck with the filly after riding her in the Roses.
Gollan is having a stellar winter having produced the quinellas in both the Group One Doomben 10,000 and Group Two Victory Stakes with the Boom Brothers, Spirit Of Boom and Temple Of Boom.
He also has a strong Queensland Derby hand with Amexed who won the Rough Habit Plate.
“It’s been a good winter and naturally I hope it continues,” Gollan said.
“But it is all the better if you can get a big win no-one expects and Tornado Miss might just do that.”
Arabian Gold is the TAB’s $2.50 favourite ahead of Tinto at $7 with Tornado Miss at $34.
Trainer David Vandyke says all is well with Arabian Gold after a scare on Tuesday when she ripped off a shoe.
“Barrier one is excellent for her,” he said.
“She can take up a position from there.”
Vandyke’s major concern is the 2400 metres.
Arabian Gold was found wanting in the VRC Oaks (2500m) in the spring but her three Group wins since over 2000 metres have convinced him it is worth another try.
“I don’t think she is a genuine 2400 metre horse but she has shown her class so it is worth another crack,” Vandyke said.
“She is mentally stronger than she was in the spring.”
