3 minute read
Emotions flowed at Doomben on Saturday when exciting filly Winning Ways scored an impressive win in the Group One Queensland Oaks.
It was heart-wrenching for connections with the win coming just a week after her owner Paul Makin sadly passed away.
Carrying the Paulyn Investments colours made famous by Makin owned stars including Starcraft, Winning Ways (Declaration Of War x Skip Along by Galileo) emerged as one of Australia's new rising staying prospects with an exciting victory.
Trainer Garry Newham was able to deliver on a long time promise to the Makin family - telling them Winning Ways would win the Oaks early in her racing career.
And win she did thanks to a copybook ride that led to a first Group One win for young local jockey Matthew McGillivray.
"I'm definitely thinking of Paul. He put a lot of money into the game and loved his horses," Newham said of his recently departed mate Paul Makin.
"Paul was looking down on us today - to win in his colours was just amazing.
“He brought me back to racing when he trusted me with this beautiful filly, He's been amazing to me and I hope we've done him and his family proud.
“I said to him months ago we'll win the Oaks. And after the Roses he said you're right we'll win the Oaks. He knew.
"This is the best filly I've had my hands on.
“She's immature yet - she hasn't furnished. She could be a Caulfield Cup horse."
Winning Ways boasts an imposing record for a lightly raced staying prospect winning seven of her 13 starts, earning $479,200.
A half sister by Declaration of War to Perth stakes winner Dreamtime Dancer, Winning Ways was a $110,000 purchased for leading international bloodstock agent Dermot Farrington from the Coolmore Stud draft at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Farrington was a long time friend and bloodstock adviser and buyer for Makin and he welcomed today's emotional result with great pride.
As Farrington put it succinctly following the win - "He always had the last say."
Winning Ways is the second G1 winner by former Coolmore shuttle sire Declaration Of War, who covered a total of 213 mares during his two southern hemisphere breeding seasons in 2014 and 2015.
He is also the sire of G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains winner Olmedo.
The dam pf Winning Ways Skip Along died in 2015 shortly after foaling the filly.
She is also the dam of Listed winner Dreamtime Dancer (Danehill Dancer).
Skip Along was a half-sister to the Listed winner Unfurled (Unfuwain) from the Listed winner and G1 placed Peony (Lion Cavern).
There was an unfortunate postscript as Winning Ways was found to have bled, resulting in an automatic three-month ban.