| By Glenn Davis
BRISBANE, Aug 28 AAP - Trainer Bevan Laming paid star filly
Ringa Ringa Rosie the ultimate accolade by declaring her
possibly the best horse he has trained following her sensational
comeback victory at Doomben.
Ringa Ringa Rosie booked a trip to Melbourne for the Group One
VRC Oaks with a three-length win over Beyonce's Star in
Saturday's The Plough Inn Tavern Handicap (1200m).
"There's so much improvement in her still and she's perhaps the
best horse I have trained," Laming said.
"She's definitely the best filly I have trained."
Ringa Ringa Rosie, who was having her first start since
finishing second to Pressday in the Group One TJ Smith (1600m)
at Eagle Farm in June, made her opposition look second rate.
During her winter carnival campaign, Ringa Ringa Rosie won the
Listed Hampden Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on May 15 before an
eye-catching third to Run For Levi in the Listed Doomben Slipper
(1350m) on May 29 prior to the TJ Smith.
Jockey Chris Munce had some cause for concern when he was with
the tailenders at the 600 metres on Saturday before he managed
to angle her out into the clear after straightening.
"I was in a bit of an awkward spot there for a while but I hoped
she would be right once we straightened," Munce said.
"Last preparation she ran second to Pressday (in the TJ Smith)
and we're hopeful she's strengthened up enough to have a go at
the Oaks in Melbourne."
Laming sees no reason to doubt Ringa Ringa Rosie as a stayer.
"I have no doubt she'll stay. Her grandmother ran second in a
Queensland Oaks and she gives the impression she'll run on," he
said.
The Group One VRC Oaks (2500m) will be run at Flemington on
November 4 but her first mission down south will be the Group
One Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 13.
Meanwhile, Meet George booked a trip south for the Group Three
Cameron Handicap (1300m) at Newcastle on September 15 after
stretching his winning sequence to five in the Hotel LA Handicap
(1350m).
Meet George powered home to edge out Poor Judge by a short neck
with Anyways the same margin away third.
Trainer Brian Smith has raised the bar with Meet George every
start since he started his winning sequence in a class four at
the Gold Coast in June.
"I still believe he's going to be a better horse for the
Brisbane winter carnival next year but in the meantime he'll go
south for the Cameron Handicap," Smith said.
"It's hard to win five in a row anywhere but he's done it."
Smith will decide after the Cameron Handicap whether Meet
George, who took his record to nine wins from 25 starts, will
progress to the Group One Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on
October 2.
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