Panova’s victory in the Australasian Oaks at Morphettville has positioned Chris Waller one win shy of a rare achievement, marking his 199th Group One success.

T J Smith and Bart Cummings stand alone as Australian trainers with more than 200 Group 1s, each tallying 246 at career’s end.

The filly’s win brought Waller level at 19 Group 1s for the season, replicating his Australian record from 2024-25.

Waller notes the 200 milestone isn’t his main target, content to see Panova victorious again after a preparatory phase where she trailed.

“She had a temperature at the start of the autumn, and we don’t want to push them. We gave her time,” Waller said.

“But as a result she was a bit bigger, and we all know about that. Once you get out of shape, it’s hard to get back in shape, whether you’re a racehorse or a person, so we’ve just worked away, we haven’t rushed her, and she’s got there today.”

Without a win in recent Sydney stakes, Panova’s form was solid, building on her spring finale in the Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

Winning rider James McDonald credited the anti-clockwise circuit for helping Panova, pleased with his maiden Adelaide Group 1 post a Sydney autumn haul of 10.

“It’s an honour to be here,” McDonald said.

“To win one of the nice Oaks, I enjoy winning classics. They’re one of my favourites, rich in history and this race is no different.”

Waller foresees more to come from the filly, who could target the Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm in June.

“She is very adaptable. A talented horse,” Waller said.

“We started a long way behind the eight ball, and she has caught up now. She will train on from it and might even get to the Queensland Oaks.”

Panova ($11) rallied wide from behind to edge Mating Call ($6) by one length, as Paltrow Miss ($15) took bronze.

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