Kris Lees has once again proven his knack for preparing top-class staying fillies, securing his third triumph in the Queensland Oaks with You Wahng delivering a determined victory in Saturday’s edition at Eagle Farm.

The win adds to Lees’ Group 1 Oaks resume alongside Vitesse Dane in 2005 and Amokura in 2023. Jockey Tommy Berry played a key role in the win, executing a tactically perfect ride from barrier seven to give the filly every chance in the run.

“Lovely ride from Tommy,” Lees said. “He was able to get us straight across from the gate and got into a lovely position in running. He had a lot of horse coming to the corner, but I was always just a little guarded that last furlong when she presented, but she was able to find under pressure.”

You Wahng ($19) nosed out Pinito ($6), trained by James Cummings, who was looking to close his Godolphin tenure with another major win. Australasian Oaks winner Benagil ($7) was again held up at a crucial stage and finished third, just ¾ of a length away.

Lees pointed to a tongue tie as a decisive factor in the filly’s turnaround: “She ran really well in an ATC Oaks. I think she was very plain at Gosford when we just gave her a fresh run. We applied a tongue tie, and it’s really worked out well.”

Jockey Mark Zahra echoed the frustration around Benagil’s unlucky run: “She probably should have won. She just lacks gate speed which meant we ended up on the inside, so we had a few traffic issues before we got clear air.”

Philia ($4.40) struggled to settle early and finished a disappointing eighth, with Kerrin McEvoy noting she couldn’t find her rhythm in the run.

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