Class filly Mosheen quashed any doubts over her ability to stay with an emphatic victory in the Group One VRC Oaks at Flemington on Thursday.
Runner-up to Sepoy in the Golden Slipper, Mosheen had not raced beyond 1600 metres and even trainer Robert Smerdon admitted to some doubts over her capacity to handle the 2500m Oaks journey.
Mosheen winning the VRC Crown Oaks (Group 1) at Flemington - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
But regular rider Danny Nikolic bounced her straight to the front from her inside draw and dictated terms to suit his filly.
Once she turned into the famed Flemington straight and balanced up, Mosheen ($5) extended her advantage and put the race in the bag in a matter of strides, careering away for a nine-length win over $3.50 favourite Dowager Queen with Roma Giaconda ($26) running on for third 1-1/4 lengths away.
“They were all saying she wouldn’t run the trip but I knew if she got an easy run in front, which she did, she would take a power of beating,” Nikolic said.
“There was no way they were going to beat her from the 600 (metres) on, we were going too slow.
“I know the turn of foot she’s got and she hadn’t spent any petrol.”
Smerdon was relieved to see Mosheen win and said he was not confident going into the race.
“I’m a prophet of doom with these things, I was fearing the worst,” Smerdon said.
“I was hoping she could relax enough.”
Mosheen won the Edward Manifold Stakes last month but was no match for brilliant filly Atlantic Jewel in the Thousand Guineas, finishing second.
Atlantic Jewel was set to start a dominant Oaks favourite until she was ruled out on Sunday with a hamstring injury.
Smerdon revealed he would not have started Mosheen in the Oaks if the unbeaten Atlantic Jewel had lined up.
AAP TURF
