Tony McEvoy is keen to complete the Wakeful Stakes – VRC Oaks 2017 double this Melbourne Cup Carnival with in-form filly Bring Me Roses.
Bring Me Roses steps up to 2000m for Saturday’s Wakeful Stakes on way to the 2017 Kennedy Oaks. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The daughter of High Chaparral put the writing on the wall at Flemington on October 7 with her impressive two and a quarter length victory in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m).
Formerly raced solely in South Australian, the impressive Melbourne debut has her returning to Headquarters this Saturday for the Group 2 $300,000 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) on Victoria Derby Day.
The Wakeful Stakes is the first start over further than a mile for Bring Me Roses who is out to prove her staying potential ahead of Thursday week’s Group 1 $1 million VRC Kennedy Oaks (2500m).
“She’s always shown me a lot of talent but she’s just been frustrating to get there because she kept getting pharyngitis, which is an immature throat condition so we just had to wait and be patient,” McEvoy told Racing Victoria.
Pre-field Wakeful Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for the traditional Oaks lead-up race lists Bring Me Roses as the $4.20 second elect behind clear favourite Pinot ($2.90).
Pinot is prepared by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott and is already proven over the distance.
A beautifully-bred daughter of Pierro, she made it back-to-back wins stepping-up in grade on Caulfield Cup Day to win the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m).
In the Ethereal Stakes Pinot had nearly two lengths to spare on her closest rival after a big run from a wide barrier 15 of 16 draw.
Both Waterhouse and McEvoy chase their first VRC Oaks win with their respective three-year-old fillies this Melbourne Cup Carnival, but could be running for second at best.
All-in VRC Oaks odds at Ladbrokes.com.au are dominated by powerhouse performer Aloisia who looks very hard to beat in the spring classic.
Now prepared by Aaron Purcell in place of the suspended Ciaron Maher, Azamour filly Aloisia won the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) two back before her ultra-impressive Cox Plate Day victory over the colts and geldings.
Aloisia made runner-up Cliff’s Edge look second rate, flying home in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) by three and a half lengths in the idea Oaks lead-up.
She is now odds-on at $1.65 for the Oaks, with Pinot ($5) and Bring Me Roses ($7.50) trailing.
McEvoy however won’t be deterred and rates Bring Me Roses a livewire chance to do the Wakeful Stakes – VRC Oaks double last achieved by Kirramosa (2013) after a nice piece of work from the filly at Breakfast With The Stars on Tuesday morning.
“She was really bright here this morning and worked very well,” he said.
“She was super impressive at Flemington, the sectional times backed it up and I think she’ll relish stepping up to 2000.
“It’s been a month between runs which is a bit of a gamble but she loves being fresh and she’s very fit.”
Luke Currie rode Bring Me Roses to victory in the Edward Manifold but is replaced by Mark Zahra on Saturday due to suspension.
Currie will be back in time to take the mount in the VRC Oaks field.
To back the season’s best fillies this weekend and in futures VRC Oaks 2017 betting head to Ladbrokes.com.au.
