Oaks Day 3YO Summary: Proxima Dea remains unbeaten with tough, tenacious Oaks triumph

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Proxima Dea does it tough and is still too good

In what was an extraordinary staying performance, Proxima Dea (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) confirmed herself as the toughest and classiest staying filly in the country, overcoming a tough run to produce an outstanding victory over the gruelling 2500 metres of the G1 Victoria Oaks at Flemington on Thursday.

The David Payne-trained filly arrived at Flemington as an unbeaten Group 1 winner from five starts and departed as a dual Group 1 winner, having extended her unbeaten record to six.

In doing so, she became the first filly to complete the G1 Spring Champion Stakes and G1 Victoria Oaks double, adding another significant achievement to an already remarkable record.

From a wide barrier, Proxima Dea always faced a potentially difficult task, but Zac Lloyd rode with confidence and composure. Despite being forced to travel three-wide without cover for the majority of the journey, the filly remained comfortable in her rhythm, looming into contention at the 400-metre mark before powering away to score by just under two lengths.

The Rob Blacker-trained Shameful Impulse (Shamus Award) made excellent late ground to claim second, finishing ahead of De Armas (NZ) (Ardrossan), who enjoyed an economical run and was presented with her opportunity by James McDonald. However, she peaked slightly late to finish third in what was still a brave performance.

Ultimately, though, the honours belonged to the daughter of Tarzino (NZ). Proxima Dea endured arguably the toughest run in the field but proved the toughest when it mattered most.

The victory also gave 79-year-old trainer David Payne reason to start dreaming of an even bigger staying assignment, with the Melbourne Cup now potentially on the agenda.

“I want to win the Melbourne Cup, so maybe I’ll have to hang in there.”

“Maybe next year, the Melbourne Cup, who knows? We'll have a look at it and see, why not, if she matures? We know she'll get the trip anyway.

“She’ll have a good spell and we’ll let her mature. She’s got to mature, she’s still a baby, but she has the heart. I’m very fortunate the owners gave her to me. We have a good team behind us and it’s about time we won a decent race here.”

Payne was particularly pleased with the way the filly had handled her preparation, having identified the Oaks as her target from the outset.

Winning jockey Zac Lloyd was equally impressed with the performance, describing the victory as an unforgettable experience.

“She's such a good mover and I think she doesn't spend an ounce of energy. She’s bred to stay and from day one I said the Oaks and I stuck to it. Maybe I should have gone for the Derby. I don't know. But now she'll go for a holiday now, she deserves it. This is her first prep, she’s won six in a row and two Group Ones.”

“She’s unbelievable. That was spine-tingling.”

Lloyd explained that while the wide draw presented an early challenge, he was determined not to compromise the filly's chances by working too hard to find a position.

“She jumped really well and there was a bit of jostling for a spot early and I didn’t want to be the one working into that bend. I came out of the speed knowing that I might get caught wide but I was hoping the speed would increase down the side and have my chance to get in. I had to take what I was given and trust that I was on the best stayer on the day, and that she was.”

Despite covering additional ground, Lloyd said Proxima Dea travelled beautifully throughout and never gave him reason to doubt her staying ability.

“Although I was wide, we weren't going quick and I was in a straight line, so I just focused on her. She was in a lovely rhythm. She was very, very just on it, ready for me today and David's training was fantastic. She was fresh enough, but she was still able to stay as she did, so super pleased.”

He also acknowledged just how impressive the filly's finishing effort had been, considering the ground she covered compared with her rivals.

“I don't know how far we ended up winning by but she covered a lot more ground than the rest of them. I felt one challenge at about the 200-300 metre mark but she just keeps getting stronger and stronger and fifty metres later that horse was gone so she's a proper star.”

Sales info: Proxima Dea was purchased for $300,000 by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the North Bloodstock draft at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, but has ended up back in her breeders' ownership.

Pedigree info: Proxima Dea is a full sister to the G1 Queensland Oaks victress Gypsy Goddess (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}), who placed twice more at Group 1 level amongst Sydney’s autumn 3-year-old classics and was third in the $10 million Golden Eagle.

Proxima Dea is out of the unraced Redoute's Choice mare Invisible Coin, who has left six winners in total, including the four-time winner and Listed-placed Bitcoin (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}).

Invisible Coin is a full sister to the Group 1 winner Cheeky Choice (Redoute's Choice) and is related to the Listed-winning sprinter Blondeau (I Am Invincible).

Invisible Coin has since left a yearling colt by Anamoe, delivered a Cylinder colt in September and is now in foal to Ghaiyyath (Ire).

Royally bred Lady Catalina shows the speed of mum

The Chris Waller-trained Sequinned (Pinatubo {Ire}) was the heavily favoured runner heading into the G3 Red Roses Stakes down Flemington's straight course, but the beautifully bred Lady Catalina (Written Tycoon) had other ideas, producing a thrilling performance to claim the Group 3 feature in a tight finish.

The Ciaron Maher-trained filly, a daughter of former star juvenile Away Game (Snitzel), displayed an abundance of natural speed and proved difficult to run down after taking control early.

The field had endured a lengthy wait at the barriers following the unfortunate late scratching of two runners, but that did little to affect Lady Catalina, who was quickly into stride once the gates opened.

Blake Shinn took the filly straight to the front, with Determined Rose (Hellbent) settling handy and Scintillation (I Am Invincible) also positioned prominently, closer to the inside rail.

Meanwhile, James McDonald had Sequinned travelling comfortably down the grandstand side, enjoying plenty of clear running room as he prepared to make his challenge.

Lady Catalina kicked strongly when asked, with Sequinned beginning to close the margin. However, the favourite had her awkward head carriage and a tendency to lug back towards the inside, while Lady Catalina continued to fight on.

In the end, the daughter of Written Tycoon had just enough in reserve to hold on by little more than a nose from a gallant Sequinned, with Semantics (Exceed And Excel) finishing only a head further away in third in an extremely close finish.

For winning trainer Ciaron Maher, the result continued an outstanding carnival and was particularly satisfying given the investment made by Lady Catalina's connections.

“This horse races in John Stewart’s colours, Resolute Racing, and we paid a pretty penny for her at the Magic Millions sale. $1.8 million.

“She’s out of a great mare that we trained, Away Game. She’s justified her price now. Can’t thank the team. Had a beautiful ride by Blake (Shinn).

“I told him to send her. She doesn’t round off her races that she’s tough. Well, she did round off her race today, but her biggest asset is to go quick. He timed it to perfection.

“You think you’re going too quick, but you’re not. She toughed it out well.”

Winning jockey Blake Shinn said the instructions were straight forward, with Maher keen to allow the naturally quick filly to use her greatest asset.

“Ciaron instructed me just to let her roll and she jumped super, probably the first out and was just able to get her into that nice rhythm and she was able to just absorb pressure and then build off that.

“I was able to keep probably a length up my sleeve when the other horses challenged me and then she was able to find and just save a little bit for the end.

“Beautiful filly, really just got a great demeanor about her and characteristics and obviously well bred and great to get a winner in these Resolute Racing colours. Big investors in America and it's great to see them here in Australia.”

Sales info: Lady Catalina was purchased for $1,800,000 by Resolute Bloodstock and Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the Yulong draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Pedigree info: Lady Catalina is the first foal from the well-related and very quick Away Game who won $3.75 million on the track including the G2 Percy Sykes Stakes. She was very unlucky not to win a Group 1, although did manage three Group 1-placings including a runner-up position in the G1 Golden Slipper.

A full sister to Away Game is Modern Wonder (Snitzel), she was successful at Listed level among her three wins.

Since producing Lady Catalina, Away Game has produced a Written Tycoon 2-year-old colt, a Pierata yearling filly and unfortunately slipped to Written Tycoon after getting served in February.

Stonecrest shows plenty of promise with winning debut

The familiar colours of Kia Ora Stud were once again to the fore at Gosford, where the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable may have unearthed another smart 3-year-old in the well-bred and highly sought-after yearling Stonecrest (Snitzel).

The colt produced an encouraging debut performance, showing plenty of natural ability despite racing greenly at times before finding the line well to score under Tim Clark.

The son of Snitzel jumped sharply from the barriers, with Clark electing to take him forward and settle in front. Andrew Adkins quickly worked Nights Like This (Toronado {Ire}) into a position outside the leader, while the other well-favoured 3-year-olds, Pearl Of Dubai (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Thyme To Go (I Am Invincible), settled comfortably just behind the speed.

Stonecrest travelled strongly into the straight, with Clark having barely moved on the odds-on favourite. However, the inexperienced colt began to hang out quite badly and race greenly as Sherry started to bring Thyme To Go into the contest closer to the inside rail.

Despite the colt's inexperience, Clark did an excellent job of keeping him balanced and encouraging him to run straight over the concluding stages.

Stonecrest responded well to the challenge, holding on to score by a neck from Thyme To Go, who also produced an encouraging performance and looks a maiden winner in waiting. Pearl Of Dubai finished another two and a half lengths away in third.

It was an encouraging first outing for the expensive colt, who has plenty of scope to develop as he gains further experience.

Sales info: Stonecrest was purchased for $650,000 by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing, Kestrel Thoroughbreds and Kia Ora Stud from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Pedigree info: Stonecrest is one of three winners out of the three-time winning High Chaparral {Ire} mare Chateau Cheval. The best of her winners has been the G2 Roman Consul Stakes, G2 Silver Slipper Stakes and G3 Canonbury Stakes winner and G1 Golden Slipper placegetter and now sire Best Of Bordeaux.

Chateau Cheval is also well-related, being a half-sister to four stakes winners, including the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes winner and sire Casino Prince.

While Yulong’s young G2 Danehill Stakes winner and young sire First Settler also features within the extended family.

Chateau Cheval hasn’t produced a live-foal since Stonecrest but she is due to foal to Zoustar later this month.