Soho Americano wins thrilling Queensland Oaks

Vastly improved filly Soho Americano (American Ideal) came through with a well timed burst to take a thrilling 150,000 Group 1 Ladbrokes Queensland Oaks run at Albion Park on Saturday evening.

Perfectly driven by Luke McCarthy Soho Americano showed blistering early speed to take up the running. Favourite Captains Mistress was well back early.

SOHO AMERICANO JUL 19 REPLAY

Grant Dixon on Cool and Classy made a daring move after the field had settled down to take up the running with McCarthy then electing to take the trail behind the leader. Captains Mistress who had made her run with Cool and Classy was then forced to race outside the leader.

Cool and Classy was giving plenty of fight on the final bend when Captains Mistress. Indeed she looked as if she might hold on but half way down the straight Soho Americano got clear and in a driving finish she was able to edge out Cool and Classy with Captains Mistress holding on for third.

Trainer Mick Stanley had been placed on eight occasions in an Oaks and look destined to get another placing until Soho Americano’s late dive on the line.

Stanley stated “She’s known for staying that distance”.

“The draw made the race for her. We knew we had the fastest filly and she proved that. We’ve had her since a yearling and from the start we knew she had above average ability.”

“We’ll now set her for the Victoria Oaks to be run in October.”

Stanley who is from Ballarat now has most of his stable based at Menangle but still maintains his home base.

For McCarthy the win was his seventh in the Queensland Oaks, a truly incredible record for the star reinsman.

Cool and Classy almost stole the race while Captains Mistress lost no friends in holding on for third after a torrid run.

Probably the unlucky runner was Manhattan Chick who was under lock and key four back on the rails. She never get a clear run at any stage and was looking for runs when finishing fourth.

Raced by Robert Watson, Soho Americano rated 1.55.1 for the 2138 metres.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink