(from Hollywood Park notes)
Australian filly star Anamato is scheduled to be shipped to California Sunday for the $750,000 American Oaks (gr. IT) on July 7, Hollywood Park racing secretary Martin Panza reported on Thursday.
Anamato will become the first Australian-bred to compete in the international race. The sixth running of the Oaks will be run at 1 1/4 miles on turf.
Because of the different breeding seasons between the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere fillies eligible for the race are 4 years old. Northern Hemisphere fillies are 3.
Anamato, a daughter of Redoute’s Choice, won the Schweppes Australasian Oaks (Aus-I) at 10 furlongs in her last start on April 21 for trainer David Hayes. She has recorded four firsts, four seconds and four thirds in 17 starts and earned $638,096 for owner-breeders J.D. Ritchie and partners.
The Oaks, Panza's creation, has become a truly international event. Dimitrova was shipped from Ireland to win the race in 2003 and Cesario was shipped from Japan to win in 2005. Wait a While was shipped from New York to win the race last year en route to an Eclipse Award. Asahi Rising from Japan and Arravale from Canada finished second and third, respectively, in that race.
Winners Megahertz in 2002 and Ticker Tape in 2004 were bred in England but had been sold to California connections during their juvenile seasons and raced extensively on this circuit before the race.
Although Anamato will be the first Australian horse to run in the race, three New Zealand-breds ran in 2004. Boulevardofdreams, Eternal Melody and French Lady finished seventh, eighth and 13th, respectively.
