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Provocative is guaranteed a run in the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks, but she is no certainty to take her place.
Heavy rain in Brisbane forced the abandonment of Saturday’s meeting at Eagle Farm and the fillies’ feature has now been rescheduled for seven days’ time.
“The Oaks and the Derby will be on the same day so I’ll have a chat with the owners about which way we go,” trainer Tony Pike said.“She will be in the Oaks field as Leon McDonald’s horse (Beluga Blue) definitely won’t be running. There’s a bit of water to go under the bridge yet and she’ll have a gallop on Tuesday and we’ll make a decision after that.”
Raced by Robin Peel-Walker and Mark Wyborn, Provocative has won three of her six outings including a last-start success at Ipswich.Meanwhile, Pike was cheering from afar when Summer's Day continued her outstanding run of form with a hard fought win in Saturday’s Edwards Sound Chairman’s Trophy Handicap at Ellerslie.
“She’s flying and she’s just such an honest mare,” he said. “She’s doing a great job and she’s tough, she was clearly headed and fought back.”Summer’s Day answered every call from rider Danielle Johnson inside the closing 200 metres to rally for a half a head victory at the expense of Underthemoonlight.
“She’ll probably run next in the Listed Tauranga Stakes in three weeks’ time,” Pike said. “She can have a spell after that and then come back for the spring.”