Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott may have the number one seed in the VRC Oaks, after Amazonian Lass (+1300) led all the way in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes at Flemington under the guidance of Tim Clark.
As usual with the Waterhouse & Bott runners, the daughter of More Than Ready bounced well and took the lead quickly, before settling nicely for Clark.
The race didn't change complexion during the run, so the leader was allowed to do whatever she wanted out in front, and when Clark went for his filly, she kicked clear and put up a three-length break with 300m to go.
Plenty of punters were tipping the race favourite Zardozi (+115) as the best bet of the day at Flemington, and when she got to the outside and started to run on well, the roar rang louder and louder track side.
As the eventual winner was starting to shorten stride, the favourite continued to cut down the margin, but ultimately couldn't get to Amazonian Lass and she held on to to record a good win.
2023 Wakeful Stakes Replay – Amazonian Lass | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Tim Clark
Gai Waterhouse was very happy with Amazonian Lass' tough win, and she spoke post-race.
“We've just kept the work up to her. I think people often think when you say keeping the work up to her means you've got to be hard on them, but it is the consistency,” Waterhouse said.
“And she's worked very well, she eats very well, she's gone to the beach. She's just a happy horse.
“(He) gave her time to have a breather and then put the foot on the pedal and said I'll see you after.”
“Tim is on fire. He's got a wonderful clock.
“It is hard not to back his horses. He puts them in a great position.”
“She's a little bit one-paced, she's a very big filly, big hindquarter, very strong and she did it really well today.
“I know she was being threatened that last furlong but I just love that courage she's got.”
Tim Clark has already won two races on Derby Day, and he spoke post-race about the win.
“She's been going great, the team have been really happy with her down here, we were pretty confident coming in to today, out to the 2000 (metres) would really suit her, she travelled beautifully early when she got across to the front,” Clark said.
“I was able to give her a breather early and then from the 1000, every furlong just slightly increase, she was loving the gallop and fortunate enough she held on late.
“No reason not to turn up here again Thursday, that'll top her off nicely.
“She's got a wonderful attitude and I'm sure she'll run a hell of a race Thursday.”
Amazonian Lass is now an +700 chance in the VRC Oaks futures market with online bookmakers.