Lightly raced mare Oraqua continued her rise through the grades with a gritty and determined performance at Warrnambool on Jericho Cup Day, securing her third victory from just five starts for the Mitch Freedman Racing team.

Jumping cleanly, Oraqua was able to take control of the race from the outside leader position and Jarrod Fry ensured the mare was travelling in a comfortable rhythm. Approaching the turn, the leader came under pressure, which left Oraqua in front a long way from home. Fortunately for the team, the mare was able to take this opportunity to put the race away, producing the fastest 400–200m split of the race and stealing a large buffer on her rivals. In the long Warrnambool straight, which seemingly went for an eternity, Jarrod Fry kept the mare focused, and she was tenacious in holding off the late swoopers to score by half a length.

Freedman said post-race, “She has continued to improve, and I think there is more to come with her. She hit the front a long way out and, whilst she was a sitting duck late, she did enough to cling on.”

The victory was the stable’s sixth winner for the month of November, striking at an impressive 18% for the period and ensures the team are on track for the target of 50 winners for the season, which is now one-third completed.

Oraqua shapes as a mare to watch closely as she continues her upward trajectory through the summer and beyond. Congratulations to Roll The Dice Racing and all involved!