James Cummings and Chad Scofield have combined with Zardozi (+1000) taking out the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) in stylish fashion at Flemington on Saturday.
The Godolphin filly showed plenty of promise in her two-year-old season, winning three in a row before being tipped out for a spell.
She was then placed on a Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) path that didn't eventuate, now landing in Melbourne for what could now be a live chance in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m).
She sat quietly behind a genuine tempo for Chad Schofield, as the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Amazonian Lass (+3300) bold along up on speed.
When the race went on with 400m to go, Zardozi and Aprilia (+1000) sat down to fight out the finish, with the former finding best to score by 1.5 lengths.
Stable representative Sean Keogh was on course to discuss his winning mare, and what could be next for the daughter of Kingman.
“She had a wonderful start to her career for James (Cummings),” said Keogh.
“After two disappointing runs up in grade, James saw that race last Sunday at Sandown just looked ideal to get some confidence back.
“We were happy with how she ran, she never got the opportunity to unleash to show how well she was going.
“It lined up beautifully, and it's super to get a win like that.”
“I suppose James looking at her pedigree would've earmarked races like the Oaks going forward if she continues that form.
“Races like the Ethereal and an Oaks path looks like a promising way to go.”
Chad Schofield has now ridden Zardozi to success on four occasions and was elated with the victory, moving onto a possible Oaks tilt.
“She's turning into a lovely filly,” said Schofield.
“I always thought she would.
“I won her first three races on her as she raced through the grades, and she improved quickly over that short amount of time.
“She's really settled into her prep now, and she's won really impressively there.”
“She just wants to relax and find a nice rhythm, so she's going to give herself every opportunity to run the (Oaks) trip, and she was very strong through the line there.”
Zardozi is currently +800 in futures markets with most top online bookmakers for the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m).