Sweltering finally secured her maiden victory on Wednesday, delivering a dominant performance after a mid-preparation change of plans.
The Group 1 Australasian Oaks placegetter was sent out at a Winx-like $1.12 in the Irresistible Pools And Spas Plate (1900m) and justified the quote, surging clear under Tommy Berry to win by 3¾ lengths.
Her lead-up included a surprise second in the Inglis Bracelet on VRC Oaks Day — a race she contested only because of a Victorian rule denying maiden horses entry into the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes.
“All the way through we were going to the Matriarch,” assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said.
“But the ruling in Victoria is you can’t race a maiden grade horse in a Matriarch… so they rejected our nomination.”
Already prepared for a 2000m target, Sweltering relished Wednesday’s distance and will now head to the paddock before the Sydney autumn.
“She is obviously a classy mare… that might just do her,” Duckworth said.
Tulloch Lodge colt Supermassive also impressed on the card, earning a Magic Millions trip in January.