Channelling namesake’s traits in Oaks

SHOULD she manage to harness the strength, determination, staying power and pure grit of her namesake, she will become a Group One winner during the weekend.

Racing in her customary consistent form, which includes an eye-catching fourth in a heat, Dougs Babe is engaged in Saturday night’s Victoria Oaks in Bendigo.

Prepared by Geoff Webster, Dougs Babe was bred by the horseman’s later brother Doug, who died in March 2018 at the age of 61.

The fact Doug survived beyond childhood is testament to his tenacity and knack of overcoming obstacles according to Webster.

“His ability to overcome every challenge put in front of him was truly amazing,” Webster said.

“There were complications at Doug’s birth and the doctors didn’t expect him to live past 20.

“He was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his throat and the ramifications were that his body did things a bit slower than the rest of us.”

A popular race track fixture when Webster had a horse racing, Doug enjoyed nothing more than watching runners he owned compete…especially those he bred.

“His attitude to life and the people around him was so positive it was infectious,” Webster said. “Douglas was very much into the social side of the sport, but geez, he loved his horses.

“He got a huge thrill out of those he raced and bred win, no matter where or how big a race it was.”

As for Dougs Babe, she faces the kind of arduous task befitting her breeder in the Blue Riband.

To be driven by Michael Bellman, the daughter of Western Terror will begin from the outside of the front row.

TAB Fixed Odds have the three-year-old listed as the rank outsider at $151.

“She’s going to need a lot go her way from the draw,” Webster said. “It’s a super field, so even finishing in the first half will be a good result.

“She is as healthy and fit as she can be, now we’ll just hope everything goes her way on the night.”