Racing: Oaks target for filly with the attitude and the acceleration

Waverley trainer Kevin Gray could finally have the goods to win a much sought-after New Zealand Oaks trophy at Trentham.

His Pins filly Legs produced a stunning performance to win the group-three $60,000 Eulogy Stakes for three-year-old fillies at Awapuni on Saturday and he said the Oaks, in March, was the major goal.

Gray won the 1985 Eulogy Stakes with Eau D'Etoile, who went on to finish third in the New Zealand Oaks just over a month later.

However, Gray has more time to fine-tune Legs for the group-one feature, with the race being shifted to the autumn.

Legs' victory in the Eulogy Stakes came just six days after winning a 1200m maiden on debut at Woodville.

Gray happily accepted with the filly last Tuesday when he saw entries, on paper, seemed to lack a real top-liner.

"I wasn't too sure, but the final field was only a group of one and two win horses, so I decided to go for it," said Gray, who trains in partnership with Robert Patterson.

"You only get one chance at races like this, so you have to make some bold decisions, but she's an exceptional galloper."

Gray took a gamble giving Legs her debut run so close to a "black type" race, but the programme has paid handsome dividends.

"The Woodville race took a bit out of her, but she picked up strongly later in the week, giving me more and more confidence that we'd done the right thing," Gray said.

He trains Legs for former Manawatu Racing Club president Garry Chittick, who races the filly under the banner of Waikato Stud 2001 Ltd, which bred the horse from Pins and winning Centaine mare River Century.

Gray has trained several horses for Chittick over the years, but often they have been on-sold.

"We've worked together in racing for a long time and helped each other in the industry," Gray said.

"This year alone I sent seven mares to Waikato Stud stallions."

Gray has had Legs in his stable since she was a late two-year-old and has been impressed with her from day one.

"She has just needed time," he said.

Winning jockey David Walker could not praise the filly highly enough.

"She's special ... there's no other way to describe her," he said.

"She's Oaks material."

"One of her biggest attributes is attitude, but this horse does have gears.

"She has great acceleration and steps off the mark like nothing else I've ridden."

On Saturday, Legs came with an outstanding run down the outside of the track from last at the 800m mark.

She gained the decision by a long head from Markisa, who had tried to lead throughout, with Smitten Kitten 1 1/4 lengths away third.

Added Walker: "That just shows how special she is, and she'll have no problems stepping up over the longer distances like the New Zealand Oaks.

"She'll stay all day, and good stayers have a sprint at the end."

- NZPA