Socks Nation was not among the fancied runners in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks, but the Ciaron Maher-trained filly showed her staying tenacity in the sole major race of the day, repelling her rivals to claim success at the highest level.
In her third win from 12 career starts to date, the daughter of Sioux Nation was kept close to a hot speed by jockey Ryan Maloney, with the pair staving off a late challenge from Craig Williams and Our Gold Hope.
Socks Nation is Sioux Nation’s first Group 1 winner and 13th individual stakes winner. His sole southern hemisphere crop also produced the Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes winner Magic Control, who raced in Australia as Archo Nacho.
Fresh off riding Romantic Warrior to victory in the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen in Japan on Sunday, James McDonald wasted no time getting back into the groove of Australian racing at Eagle Farm, highlighted by a dominant win aboard Vilana in the Group 2 Moreton Cup.
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