Following an impressive victory in the traditional lead-up to the VRC Oaks at Flemington, the Chris Waller stable faces a significant decision regarding their Oaks contenders.
Before the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) on Saturday, Waller had indicated that Your Colour and Tharwa were his intended runners for the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on Thursday. However, the stable’s plans may need reconsideration after Tharwa finished ninth and Your Colour came in eleventh.
Last year marked Waller’s inaugural Oaks runner, The Pearls, who secured second place.
De Armas, who started as the $3.60 equal favourite under Blake Shinn, benefited from a strong pace to achieve a 1-¼ length victory over Girl With A Pearl ($61). The other co-favourite, Icelady, at $3.60, held on for third, a further 1-½ lengths behind, after dictating the early speed.
With Waller attending the Golden Eagle meeting in Sydney, stable representative Darren Beadman lauded Shinn’s ride. “That was a 12 out of 10 ride,” Beadman stated. “We were quite fortunate that they did roll along in the race, running good sectionals, which probably allowed him to be a little bit further back and just to rest her. “She chimed into the race probably a little bit too well and got to the front probably a little bit too quick, but we won’t knock that one back.”
Beadman commented that De Armas is a developing filly, but her race-day demeanour requires further improvement. “She still did a few things wrong,” Beadman admitted. “She laid out, she didn’t really get around Caulfield the other day, but the big track here obviously suits her. “She’s obviously entered for the Oaks on Thursday, so Chris and the team will see how she pulls up, but OTI have got a very handy filly on their hands.”
This marked Shinn’s third win in the Wakeful Stakes, having previously guided Thunder Lady (2011) and Luvaluva (2017) to success for John Sargent.
Shinn described De Armas as a challenging ride, noting her lack of balance around the home turn. “She really was quite unbalanced getting around the turn,” Shinn recounted. “I was really trying to coax her to get onto her right leg, her offside leg, just to balance out. “It took me a little bit to get her to change, but she won authoritatively and ran the distance out nicely. “It’s my third Wakeful, it’s a great lead up to the Oaks and you never know what Chris will do now with her.”
For those looking to back a potential Oaks contender, consider exploring the latest racing odds available at Australian betting sites.