A miserable week for Coolmore after Anthony Van Dyck’s death was reversed with Thursday’s victory at the VRC Oaks with Staff
Coolmore Australia boss Tom Magnier described it as a « difficult week » for surgery after his Epsom Derby winner was euthanized following a catastrophic injury in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday
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But a win in the $ 1 million Oaks with the daughter of Fastnet Rock was a huge pleasure for the global operation, which raised the precious racehorse
« This is what dreams are made of, » said Magnier « It was a difficult week but it’s a very big peak today
« We’re just overwhelmed This week it’s been, picking up the Kennedy Oaks is a dream and doing it with the Hayes team – I think it’s absolutely fantastic
David Hayes recalled it in January when Personal won his young daughter at Flemington, comparing her to former champion Miss Finland
On Thursday, that comparison came to fruition when Personal won the VRC Oaks, 12 years after Miss Finland won the same race
The 2,500-meter competition proved to be one of the races of the spring, when Salto Angel equalized favorite Montefilia at the top of the Flemington straight, only for the Personal to climb to the top to win under Damien Oliver , giving him back-to-back wins at Oaks
The Group 1 victory was Lindsay Park’s first since Hayes left for Hong Kong, leaving the reins to his son Ben Hayes and cousin Tom Dabernig
The team had been so close to a Group 1 victory this spring, with Aysar second in the Caulfield Guineas and Personal second in the Thousand Guineas, but it was a monkey in the back for the ‘Flemington stable on their home track on Thursday
Group 1 victory comes on top of a third Blue Diamond and a second Thousand Guineas on personal CV, which will make her a very valuable broodmare in the future
Oliver, described by Magnier as « the King of Flemington », claimed his sixth Oaks and 122nd victory in Group 1, leaving no doubt about his position at the top of the Victorian jockey ranks
« She’s genuine but found a better one It was good to see her finally get a good one, in Group 1 here today because she’s been very consistent »
Ben Hayes said it was awesome getting rid of the monkey and winning his first Group 1 in partnership with Dabernig
« We knocked on the door this spring: the second in the Thousand Guineas with Personal and Aysar just got beaten in the Caulfield Guineas, so we got really close and that It is a great relief and a great thrill to win this race, « he said
« It was the first day watching her in the yard she looked fit She’s a big strong mare and I think running in the Wakeful really blew her away Today you could just see this piece of coast «
VRC President Amanda Elliott said she « couldn’t be happier for [Coolmore] after the week they’ve been through »
« Angels sometimes have a way to party and we couldn’t be more thrilled, » she says
Kennedy Oaks, horse racing, Damien Oliver, Melbourne Cup Carnival, Flemington, Epsom Oaks
News from around the world – AU – Victory for Personal in the Oaks, a “great high” after a tough week for Coolmore
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
