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By Ray Hickson

Hawkesbury trainer Jason Attard considers this season his best to date but it’ll go to another level if he can claim the Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Jason Attard (Pic: Bradley Photos).

His stable star is Oui Oui Oui, one of just a baker’s dozen he has in work, and since her coming of age with a hat-trick in the latter part of last year Attard says it’s all gone to plan to target the $1 million race.

The four-year-old ticked off the qualification running second in the first of the heats back on February 19 on her home track and it’s been smooth sailing in the interim.

“She’s going in where I wanted her to be fitness wise and also mentally. She’s loving her racing and loving her work,’’ Attard said.

“This prep has been the prep she’s raced to the best of her ability.

“She’s been maturing in herself, we’ve given her that extra time to let her find her way naturally. I’d like to get longevity out of the horse and have her around for a long time.”

Despite his smallish team, Oui Oui Oui won’t be his first runner in a Provincial-Midway Championships Final but she will, as a $7.50 chance with TAB on Thursday, be his best chance.

Reiby Rampart found her way to the Final in 2017, she was a $20 chance and finished midfield behind Maryore with Damian Lane riding.

“It’s a lot of money, it’s great publicity and it’s good for that grade of horse and one moving up through the grades,’’ he said.

“It’s a great opportunity for everyone and she’s just blossoming at the moment.”

Tom Sherry has been Oui Oui Oui’s rider for nine of her 11 starts, including her maiden win just under 12 months ago, and both jockey and trainer were rapt with the mare’s performance when bridging the gap into the Final.

Attard selected the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Day and while she ran eighth he left the track more than satisfied after she settled last and rushed home to be beaten 2-1/2 lengths by Catch The Glory.

“It was a nice little top up run in the Birthday Card, it was good timing and I’m happy with how she performed,’’ he said.

“It was going against the track bias for the day, we drew badly so we didn’t have many options. Getting back that far and seeing her hit the line was the best we could ask for.”

The mare is as her best when she’s able to settle a few pairs back off the speed and that’s where he’d like to see Sherry park her from the middle gate.

“I’m happy with the draw, it’s a nice barrier with her,’’ he said.

“I had a chat with Tom Sherry and he said a lot of the speed is outside her and that’s great.

“I’m guessing we’ll be just in behind the speed, midfield, where she’s travelling comfortably. It’s all up to her now.”

Beyond the Championships, if Oui Oui Oui performs to Attard’s hopes he’d like to set her for the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at the Scone carnival in May.

Oui Oui Oui's run in the Birthday Card on March 21

That race is close to the heart of owner Kate Nivison, and Oui Oui Oui’s seventh dam is in fact Dark Jewel herself.

Meanwhile, Attard’s promising mare Nesrine is likely to tackle a Benchmark 88 at Randwick next week after he elected not to accept in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes on Saturday.

All the fields, form and replays for Day 2 of The Championships at Randwick on Saturday