Rising star Aloisia stamped herself as the filly to beat in the Kennedy Oaks with a resounding win against the colts and geldings in the Group 2 $200,000 Drummond Gold Vase (2040m) at The Valley today.
Aloisia, above, scored an impressive win in the Vase at The Valley. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
The Aaron Purcell trained Aloisia is now the $1.70 favourite for the Group 1 $1m Kennedy Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on November 9 after recording a three and half lengths win over the Victoria Derby favourite Cliff’s Edge.
Winning jockey Luke Nolen gave Aloisia ($3) the perfect run behind the leader Cliff’s Edge ($2.45 favourite) who seemed to be travelling sweetly in front but had no answer when Nolen released the brakes on his filly.
Third placegetter Salsamor ($9.50) also travelled on the pace but couldn’t match it with the first two placegetters and finished a further five and half lengths back.
Aloisia had already proved her class with a last start win in the Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 14 and will now head to the Oaks in Melbourne Cup week without another run.
“She has shown today that she is one of the best fillies around,” Purcell said.
“We have trained her to win the Oaks, this was a stepping stone race. We thought third up 2000m she would be cherry ripe.”
“Obviously facing the boys was a bit of a task but she proved far too good.”
“The plan was Guineas, Vase, Oaks and so far everything is falling into place and we can’t wait until Thursday week.”
