Ohope Wins attempts Group Two double in Fillies’ Classic
Richard Edmunds - Raceform • February 5th, 2026 12:28 PM • 4 min read
Saturday’s David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic at Te Rapa could see Ohope Wins go from maiden to dual Group Two winner within the space of two starts.
Always held in high regard by trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, Ohope Wins produced strong finishes for two fifths and a second in her first three starts over 1400 and 1600 metres.
The Ocean Park filly stepped up to 2000 metres for the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, and she was in her element. She was third-last at the top of the straight but came with giant strides to win going away by two and a quarter lengths.
“We’ve always had high hopes around her staying ability,” Scott told RaceForm. “It was great to see that come through on New Year’s Day. She finished that race off beautifully strongly.
“We then gave her a quiet trial at Matamata (over 1100 metres on January 23) with blinkers on for the first time. The blinkers seemed to pick her up a little bit more and had her up on the bridle a bit more seriously. Joe (Doyle, jockey) said the blinkers were certainly a big aid for her.
“This will be her first run for her new owners Yulong, which is great. Joe came and rode her this (Tuesday) morning and was really pleased with her work. We’re going into Saturday confident that she’ll put in another strong performance.
“Increasing distances are her friend because she relaxes so well. She’ll get another run over ground under her belt this weekend, and then all going well, head to Ellerslie for the Oaks in two weeks’ time.”
O’Sullivan and Scott also have Yamato Satona going into the Gr.2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas on the back of a strong-finishing third in the 2100-metre Listed Gingernuts Salver at Ellerslie last month, while quality mare Tomodachi will tackle the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint.
“It was so encouraging to see Yamato Satona hit the line the way he did in his first attempt around two corners,” Scott said. “His work this morning was really good. He’s another that relaxes well, and we’re hoping a big field might create some pressure and give him his chance to run on strongly.
“There’s a bit of water to go under the bridge for him between now and the Derby, but he’s a focussed, tough, rugged colt and there are no worries about his constitution.
“Tomodachi was a bit below her best in Wellington. She just seemed to have lightened off a touch on saddle-up – we’ve had her better than that in the past. We think we have her in much better condition now, and we’re keeping her closer to home this weekend. It’s a select and strong field, but her very best form would take her close.”
Scott also gave a push to a pair of talented mares in the Dr John Southworth Memorial.
“Hankee Alpha is racing like a win is very close,” he said. “She’s a mare with a good load of ability. We think she’s fresh and ready to go a big race.
“Tristar is also a very good mare and she seems to have really bloomed in recent weeks. We think there’s a good performance in her on Saturday too.”
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