The three-year-old fillies will test their staying prowess in an open VRC Oaks at Flemington today. A dozen are down to start and as was the case last Saturday in the Victoria Derby none have been to the 2500m.
Cauflield’s master horseman Robert Smerdon, whose filly Mosheen destroyed rivals when winning the fillies classic three years ago, is the key player again.
Smerdon will start Fontein Ruby, Crafty and Lumosty and the astute trainer can make a case for all three.
Each has taken a different path to the Oaks although Fontein Ruby did hold off the fast finishing Crafty when winning the Caulfield Classic last time out.
That was it for Crafty while Fontein Ruby went to last Saturday’s Wakeful Stakes at Flemington and after racing handy finished sixth behind Thunder Lady which has a sense of timing about it.
“She [Crafty] didn’t need another start after Caulfield,” Smerdon told the Daily Telegraph.
“I’m really happy with her, she has trained on well. Hopefully, from her better barrier [three] she can take up a better spot in running and won’t have so much to do. She is a filly who should run the trip right out.”
The distance being the query for one and all. Smerdon warned not to dismiss Fontein Ruby on the Wakeful effort for she “faced the breeze, which was tough to do” and “she has a quirky temperament and runs through brick walls”.
Now Lumosty is going from a comfortable win in the Fillies Classic at Moonee Valley over 1600m to the 2500m but Smerdon pointed out Mosheen did the same before going on to win the VRC Oaks by nine lengths.
Thunder Lady shook off the maiden tag in style to win the Wakeful Stakes running away. Trainer Jon Sargent is no stranger to this Oaks as he won the $1m event last year via Kirramosa.
Splitting the Oaks wins of Sargent and Smerdon is another gifted horse trainer in Clarry Conners. He and loyal supporter John Singleton teamed-up to win the VRC Oaks with Dear Demi two years ago.
The pair are back and are putting their faith in Yesterjoy which turned in an improved effort when finishing fifth behind Thunder Lady and Abduction in the Wakeful.
Yesterjoy is out of Singleton’s former top class race mare Tuesday Joy which ran into a super filly when second behind Miss Finland in the 2006 VRC Oaks.
Abduction is out to provide trainer John O’Shea with his first group 1 win for the Godolphin stable while the Oaks favourite Go Indy Go can ease the race pain of trainer Leon Macdonald.
The South Australian has had three runners in the VRC Oaks and the record is sound. Dane Beltar and Serious Speed finished second while Li Lo Lil ran third.
“I feel Go Indy Go is our best chance yet to win the race,” Macdonald said. “She is looking for Flemington and I’m pretty sure she will get the trip the way she is finishing her races off.”
VRC OAKS TOP FOUR
THUNDER LADY 1, Go Indy Go 2, Crafty 3, Yesterjoy 4.
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By Craig Young
