Proxima Dea's VRC Oaks favouritism cemented after Rosehill win

Proxima Dea has ascended to favouritism for the VRC Oaks following her unblemished record continuing with a victory over more experienced horses in the Midway Handicap (1800m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

The race culminated in a thrilling finish, as dashing Doradus established a commanding six-length lead rounding the home turn, only for Proxima Dea to overhaul the leader in the final strides.

Renowned trainer David Payne has declared his talented filly's target will be the Oaks at Flemington during the prestigious Melbourne Cup Week in early November.

"This filly has a lot of upside and will stay all day,'' Payne stated.

"She's very promising and I want to get her to the Oaks in the spring, that's her main mission.

"I'll give her 10 days in the paddock now to freshen her up as she's very fit.

"I might look at a race like the Gloaming Stakes for her and then decide whether we stay in Sydney or send her straight to Melbourne for the Oaks.''

Proxima Dea, starting at $4, recorded her third win from three starts in her initial racing campaign, demonstrating a powerful finish to snatch victory from Doradus ($3.40) by a short head, with Prefer Diamonds ($51) a further half-neck behind in third.

The highly capable apprentice Braith Nock piloted Proxima Dea with exceptional skill, showing no signs of panic when Doradus surged to a significant advantage.

"I was happy enough with the run that we had,'' Nock commented.

"It was a fast tempo and she was a little out of her comfort zone just to stay in touch so I didn't want to go for her too soon.

"But when the pressure went on, she was tough right to the end.''

The filly Proxima Dea has firmed into $8, sharing favouritism with Miss Chanel for the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) to be held at Flemington on November 5.

Separately, significant race ambitions are being considered for the emerging Zalique, who managed to overcome a wide barrier to triumph over his competitors in the TAB Highway (1400m).

Ridden with purpose by the celebrated jockey Tommy Berry, Zalique ($4.40 favourite) swept across from his outer gate to position himself just off the early pace before kicking clear to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths from Giddy Up Griff ($6), with Xtreme ($5.50) finishing a close third.

Trainer Matt Dunn, though not on course, conveyed his positive assessment of the developing Zalique to Racing And Sports post-race, noting his progression to three consecutive wins this preparation from just five career starts.

"He's only lightly-raced and still learning but he's a promising horse,'' Dunn remarked.

"I would think he's an ideal type for the Country Championships next autumn but I wouldn't rule out having a look at The Kosciuszko (Everest Day, October 17).

"He puts himself into a race early, gets up on speed and gives himself every chance. He's certainly racing in very good form."

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