Mark Zahra has again steered a three-year-old to the top of Cup Week betting, this time with an effortless victory aboard Getta Good Feeling in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m).
The Danny O’Brien-trained filly cruised to the line at Flemington, firming to odds-on favouritism for Thursday’s Group 1 VRC Oaks.
Zahra, who replaced the suspended Billy Egan, was full of praise.
“She’s a very nice horse to ride,” he said. “She flew the start, relaxed really well and did it effortlessly… it was just the sort of win you hope for going into an Oaks.”
The $1.60 favourite defeated Strictly Business and Voting Rights, continuing her rise after placing in the Thousand Guineas.
O’Brien said the filly’s preparation had gone perfectly.
“She’s going to the Oaks in great shape,” he said. “She’s big, strong, and by So You Think — who won a Mackinnon Stakes on this day about 15 years ago.”