Trapeze Artist Filly Wins G1 Australasian Oaks
The Chris Waller and James McDonald show rolled into Adelaide on Saturday and they came away with another G1 victory after Trapeze Artist filly Panova produced a career best performance to win the $1million Group I SAJC Australasian Oaks (2000m).
Panova showed her potential last spring winning the Listed ATC Reginald Allen Stakes followed by the Group III VRC Carbine Club Stakes, but this preparation has seemingly been playing catch up.
In three runs in Sydney in elite company she has been just behind the place-getters, but a step out to 2000m and a good track proved exactly to her liking.
Panova settled perfectly in the run and loomed up out wide turning for home and set sail for home with a savage turn of foot.
She powered past her rivals to win by a length over Mating Call.
J-MAC AND WALLER CONQUER ADELAIDE 🔵⚫
Panova has won the Australasian Oaks!@mcacajamez @cwallerracing pic.twitter.com/yDmOzKzBKA
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 25, 2026
“I ended up in a lovely spot from the gate and was able to blend into the race really well, but what was the most influential part of the race was she relaxed, she switched off for a good 1,200 metres, so it was just about stoking her up,” said James McDonald.
“The favourites were into my inside and had them covered, but she’s a lovely filly.
“Great for the owners to be here, Ricky (Surace) and Ricky Jr., and obviously for Chris Waller, 199…”
“We flew down all together and it’s a shame we’re going to Hong Kong tomorrow because it would have been a nice flight home, but obviously we’re going to ride there (Romantic Warrior in the QEII) and we’ll buckle up.”
Chris Waller was in Adelaide and delighted to get the G1 win.
"I'm getting emotional."
Chris Waller chalks up his 199th G1 win as Panova tastes success in the Australasian Oaks 🤩
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app pic.twitter.com/cEw8Oci2Sq
— Racing.com (@Racing) April 25, 2026
A $325,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Kenmore Lodge draft, Panova runs for B2B Thoroughbreds and was bred by John Ramsey of Turangga Farm.
With three wins from 11 starts, Panova has won over $1million and is the first foal of Love Me Quietly, a winning half-sister by Trusting to Group III winner Charge from the family of Group winners Elite Falls and Niagara Falls.
Love Me Quietly has a yearling filly by The Autumn Sun that has not appeared at a sale and produced a colt by Ozzmosis last spring before being covered again by Trapeze Artist.
Panova is the second Group I winner for Widden Stud’s Trapeze Artist.
