12 Mar 2012
Sir Patrick Hogan has never won a New Zealand Oaks as an owner, but will look to change that when his famous green colours will be carried by the in-form fillies Joy’s Choice and Capital Diamond in Saturday’s $300,000 Group One feature at Trentham Gardens.
Joy’s Choice (Redoute’s Choice ex Tricia Ann, by Zabeel) is raced by Sir Patrick and Justine, Lady Hogan in conjunction with Mrs I J & the Estate of the late A T Kelly. Trained by Graeme and Debbie Rogerson, Joy’s Choice comes into the Oaks off the back of two excellent runs at Ellerslie. She was a close third behind Chicharita in the Royal Stakes-Gr.2 before stepping out last week in the Listed Sunline Vase where she was beaten the nod of the head by Artistic.
Capital Diamond (Lucky Unicorn ex Diamond Smile, by Zabeel) is raced by Sir Patrick and Justine, Lady Hogan in conjunction with the Capital Diamond Syndicate. The attractive filly has been a model of consistency for trainer Lisa Latta with placings this season in the 1000 Guineas-Gr.1, Eulogy Stakes-Gr.3, Desert Gold Stakes-Gr.3, Sir Tristram Fillies Classic-Gr.2 and, most recently, a second placing to Planet Rock on a rain-drenched Hastings track in the Lowland Stakes-Gr.3.