Roger James has a long record of securing Australian Group 1 contests for three-year-old fillies dating back to the early 2000s, and he aims to claim yet another major prize this Saturday.

The New Zealand trainer, alongside co-trainer Robert Wellwood, will send Confesara into the $1 million Australasian Oaks at Morphettville in Adelaide.

This 2000-metre race marks the Australian introduction for the Toronado filly, who has not competed over further than 1500m previously, though her solid runner-up effort behind stablemate Dealt With in a 1300m workout at Cambridge last Tuesday validated her suitability for the distance.

“She ran second to another one of ours, a good open (class) sprinter, and they ran a very quick time, so her trial was good and it will improve her,” James said.

“She’s another filly that lacked a bit of luck at times during the season, but she’s a highly-talented filly.

“We always thought she was up to an Australian trip but we sat at home and took things quietly and her form dictated that we’re on the right path.”

James understands the requirements for success in Australian three-year-old fillies Group 1s, with previous victories including Sixty Seconds, Giovana and Silent Achiever during his solo training days, and later Prowess and Orchestral in partnership with Wellwood.

Confesara’s most recent outing was a close but commanding victory in the Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m) at Ellerslie on March 7.

Prior to that came a third in the Group 3 Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m), defeated by 1.6 lengths to eventual Arrowfield Stud Stakes victor Belle Cheval, contributing to her six top-three results from seven starts overall.

She featured in the 31 Australasian Oaks nominations when entries closed last week, facing strong challengers like Victorian star Getta Good Feeling, Panova with James McDonald aboard, and VRC Oaks champion Strictly Business.

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