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Tassie star will be Hela hard to beat in Oaks

Tasmanian filly Hela can live up to some massive wraps when she makes her mainland debut in Staurday’s $502,250 Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville.

Described by respected scribe Peter Staples as “the best horse he’s seen” in Tasmania, Hela will make her own luck from a perfect barrier to find the lead for jockey David Pires and give rivals plenty to catch.

“He rides her like he stole her,” trainer Scott Brunton said on RSN as he chases his maiden Group 1 success.

“We call him (Pires) Mick Doohan when he rides her.

“She’ll make it hard for them from the front. She works hard early and has a turn of foot so it is a massive ace up her sleeve.

“She’s got tactical speed and a turn of foot.”

Unbeaten in seven starts back home, Brunton said Hela had handled her first testing trip well having settled at Mick Huxtable’s Murray Bridge stables earlier this week.

“She’s in good order,” Brunton said.

“From home to here (Murray Bridge) took 14 hours and she’s settled in well, she’s coped with it really good.

“Everything we’ve asked of her she’s done. We’re really putting the acid on her. It’s a high bar to clear but I wouldn’t swap her for any (in the race).”

Hela is a $5 second favourite with tab.com.au, with Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s Steinem a $3.90 favourite.

 

IMAGE: punters.com

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