Wisen Up, who has a poultice of owners which includes Len Fenning, Jim Nivison, Cameron Martin and Matt Macarthur Onslow and trained by Craig Martin, looked to have the race in his keeping 200 from home, but was swamped on the line after leading for the major part of the journey.

Craig took over the training of Wisen Up following brother Tim’s retirement from full-time training to concentrate on other interests. Wisen Up was coming off the back of a nice win at Armidale two weeks ago, but was always going to have the job ahead of him as he was rising sharply in grade to a class three and is eligible for a class one race.

Sometimes though you have to start them where you can get a run and it does give some idea of how the horse is going. The owners can feel comfortable with the run however and his fourth placing was a better run than it looked.

George Woodward had three charges entered and the first to go around was All Alert, the impressive Ron Martin Maiden winner. All Alert also looked at home with a 100 metres to go but he too was overtaken in the shadows of the post to go down fighting by a mere half length. Grande Zariz also never let George down as he has been a model of consistency.

Grande Zariz’s run was probably the best of the day as he was a clear last coming into the straight but rattled home late to run a handy third. He too has one foot on the till and a collect is not too far away for him.

The run of Peter, Helen and Belinda Wauch’s Star Of Dubai was also a very good effort. Although no match for the winner, Star Of Dubai also put in his usual effort and the run was pleasing.

Star Of Dubai was also coming back in distance and the professional punters always steer clear of horses coming back in distance for the first time. Star Of Dubai also showed his appreciation for the blinkers coming off and ran true to the line.

If you backed Jill Nivison and Sandy Tait’s Zanbagh on Saturday, follow your money when she goes around in the Oaks. Zanbagh’s run on Saturday to finish fourth to the brilliant mud runner Lucia Valentina was full of merit for two reasons. 

Zanbagh raced in bar plates which the experts will tell you is a no no and she was never on the track racing three and four wide all the way. The extra distance of the Oaks (2400) will suit her down to the ground and don’t worry if it is wet as she will handle that as well. All in all a terrific hit out for the Oaks.