Williams Out To Buck Odds In WA Oaks
5 May, 2016
Harness
Henley Brook trainer-reinsman, Robbie Williams, is not understating the task facing his filly, Dame Puissant, in the Gannons WA Oaks (2536m) at Gloucester Park on Friday.
Williams acknowledges Dodolicious, a member of the powerful Greg and Skye Bond stable, will take a power of stopping in the Group One feature and is the horse to beat.
Williams’ assessment is shared by punters and after her outstanding win in last week’s WA Oaks prelude, the daughter of Bettors Delight is $1.38 with the TAB.
Dodolicious holds a record of 11 wins and six placings including a commendable second to Our Dream About Me in the Group One New South Wales Oaks (2400m) in February.
The only occasion Dodolicious, bred and owned by the Bonds, has missed the money was in the WA Derby on April 15 when a luckless eighth to Chicago Bull.
Williams, despite his respect for Dodolicious, refuses to wave the white flag and believes Dame Puissant can continue to display her rate of improvement.
In last Friday’s prelude she started off the back line and was on the pegs in eighth position before working strongly at the bell to finish second behind Dodolicious.
At her previous start she set a track record for two-year-old fillies, rating 1.56.2, when she defeated Madame Croupier and Dior Mia More.
“Dodolicious is the class filly and the standout who has done a wonderful job so far,” Williams said on TABradio.
“Her effort in the New South Wales Oaks was outstanding and her heat win last week was phenomenal.
“She is definitely the one to beat, but at the end of the day it’s another race and anything can go wrong.
“My filly has done a great job since we purchased her from New Zealand and continues to get better and better.
“I thought her prelude win was good, but I was more rapt in her run last Friday night where I thought she hit the line.
“She came from a long way back and if she goes as good on Friday I think she will be thereabouts.
“I do give her an each way chance and I’m very happy with her.”
Williams and Dame Puissant combine from barrier two. The Tintin In America filly is a $10 chance with the TAB
Dodolicious has drawn barrier five for Ryan Warwick.
Bond is out to claim his second WA Oaks and first with Skye after he prepared Millwood Meg in 2010.
Julio Santarelli