Following a dominant win at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, three-year-old filly Aravene has firmed into as little as $8 for the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m).
The Caroline Jennings-trained filly by Fastnet Rock took her record to three wins from six starts following her brilliant win in Benchmark 72 company on Saturday over 2000m, under in-form jockey Sam Clipperton.
Having been accepted in The Roses (2000m) at Doomben today as well, connections made the right call to stop in at Sydney on their trek north from Melbourne to run in the weaker race today, with the filly relishing conditions to win by three lengths.
Sam Clipperton, who is fresh of winning the Group 1 Doomben 10,000, said that today's win should give her plenty of confidence heading into June 4's Group 1.
“She's a big, raw filly,” Clipperton told Sky Racing.
“Going to the barriers, she gave me a bit of an unassuming feel – she was very green and having a good spook at things – but I think she's handled the occasion very well, coming up from Melbourne in a stronger race here today.
“With the Oaks in mind for her, she's ticked today's box and it's only going to give her a bit of confidence moving forward as well.”
Having taken out last Saturday's Group 1 in Brisbane, Clipperton said he would be more than happy to stick with Aravene in the Queensland Oaks next month, but he believes that her regular Melbourne rider Brett Prebble has already been booked for the ride.
“She's a lovely staying filly going forward,” the jockey said.
“I'll put my hand up (for the Oaks ride), but I think Brett Prebble is locked and loaded.”
While the fillies' trainer wasn't on course at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, stable representative Roger Elliot was.
Elliot confirmed their plans to head north, saying that they were lucky that didn't go to Brisbane today, given the Doomben meeting was postponed.
“She'll go to Queensland now for the Oaks,” Elliot said.
“It was good. Lucky we didn't go north today anyway.
“She's grown up mentally and everything is going great.”