Panova’s Oaks success as Waller nears 200

27 April 2026

Trainer Chris Waller scored his 199th Group 1 winner when Panova saluted in Saturday’s Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville.

Panova settled back in the field after jumping from a wide barrier and came home strong in the final 600m as the World’s Best Jockey James McDonald claimed his first Group 1 win in South Australia.

McDonald kicked clear aboard the filly with just over 200m to go, defeating local hope Mating Call, who ran second for jockey Jamie Melham.

 

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James McDonald on board Panova during the Sportsbet Australasian Oaks at Morphettville. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

 

Waller was overcome with emotion post-race, soaking in an 199th Group 1 win on Anzac Day and the Sportsbet Australasian Oaks (2000m) success capped off a brilliant hour for McDonald, the World’s Best Jockey won his first race in South Australia in the Group 2 Sportsbet Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m) aboard Tycoon Star.

“It’s an honour to be here, you guys put on a great show and it’s good racing,” McDonald said.

“To win one of the nice Oaks, I enjoy winning classics, they are one of my favourites – rich with history – and this race is no different.”

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Johnstone to debut in Oaks mission

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Morphettville respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which it is based and pays respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their elders, past, present, and future. We acknowledge the Kaurna people of the Adelaide plains and recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs, and relationship with the land.