ROPER’S CHANCE TO LAND RANDWICK’S $1M PMC FINAL

ANNA Roper will be “over the moon” if she can win the $1m Provincial-Midway Championships Final at Royal Randwick on Saturday week.

The talented Wyong apprentice has been given the chance to win not only her richest race, but follow in the footsteps of yesterday’s Rosehill Gardens four-times hero Zac Lloyd, who won the Final two years ago on Territory Express whilst an apprentice.

Roper’s master, trainer Damien Lane, today confirmed her booking for Oakfield Saturn in the 1400m feature on Day 2 of The Championships.

“Owner Bruce Mackenzie was happy for Anna to ride Oakfield Saturn, and it’s great news for her,” Lane said.

“She has a wonderful rapport with the mare, and qualified her for the Final by finishing second in last week’s Kembla Grange heat (1400m).

“Anna has ridden Oakfield Saturn several times, and twice was placed on her earlier in her career in April and May last year.

“She won a 1600m Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap on Oakfield Saturn at our Saturday metropolitan stand-alone meeting in January before the mare had a short break.”

This will be Roper’s first ride in a Provincial-Midway Final, where apprentices are unable to claim because of the lucrative prizemoney.

She also qualified fellow Wyong trainer Kim Waugh’s Mogul Monarch, winning the Gosford 1200m heat on March 14 on the gelding.

Lane, meanwhile, was thrilled with his other Final qualifier Oakfield Jupiter’s brilliant trial performance at Royal Randwick last Friday.

Ridden by Jason Collett, Oakfield Jupiter powered home to easily defeat Shangri La Impact and well-performed Victorian mare She’s A Hustler in the 1200m trial on an inside track.

“I wasn’t surprised by how she trialled, but I think Jason was,” Lane said.

Oaklfield Jupiter (Keagan Latham) finished second to Buffalo in the second Qualifier (1400m) at Newcastle on February 28, and hasn’t raced since.

“Because of the six weeks’ break between qualifying and the Final, she needed to have a good hitout,” Lane said.

“Whereas she had a big blow after the Newcastle race, she didn’t blow after Friday’s trial and has pulled up great.

“We’re heading to the Final with two quality mares in good form, so it’s exciting.”

Collett rides Oakfield Jupiter in the Final, and she is currently quoted at $15. Oakfield Saturn is at $34.

Last year’s Final winner Matcha Latte (Ash Morgan) holds favoritism at $3.50, narrowly ahead of Sydney four-year-old Banjora ($4.50), who will attempt to qualify in Tuesday’s Wild Card (1400m) at Newcastle.

The Wild Card offers the three placegetters the final spots in the 15-horse field on Saturday week.

Sydney trainer Richard Litt also has two runners in the Final; Il Passero easily winning yesterday’s sixth Qualifier (1350m) at Wyong and joining stablemate Octa De Lago, who won the first Qualifier at Hawkesbury on February 19.

Fellow Sydney trainer John Thompson’s Flying Embers also qualified for the Final by finishing second yesterday.

Tuesday’s Wild Card drew 13 acceptors, but Tasoraay and Ouragan have already been withdrawn, yesterday’s Rosehill Gardens winner Annie’s Rose won’t run, and Orthie’s Boys, who contested yesterday’s Wyong Qualifier, is not expected to back up either.

. The latest TAB.com.au market on the PMC Final is:

$3.50 Matcha Late (Q)

4.50 Banjora

9 Oui Oui Oui (Q)

11 Buffalo (Q), Octa De Lago (Q)

15 Il Passero (Q), Lord Of Biscay, Oakfield Jupiter (Q)

26 Flying Embers (Q), Harry’s Bar (Q), Imposant, Midnight Opal (Q), Miss Busslinger (Q), Miss Spacegirl

34 Mogul Monarch (Q), Oakfield Saturn (Q)

. Q denotes already qualified

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MARCH 29, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS