Bart Cummings-trained filly Empress Rock may have opened the door for a crack at one of the upcoming Oaks races after a dashing win at Moonee Valley.
Building on her last start success in the Group Two Kewney Stakes at Flemington, the daughter of Fastnet Rock was dominant in Friday night’s Group Two Fillies Classic (1600m).
Anamato (2007), trained by David Hayes, is the only other horse to land the Kewney-Fillies Classic and Anamato went on to win the Group One Australasian Oaks (2000m) in Adelaide.
Jockey Steven Arnold said he always had a query about Empress Rock as a stayer but admitted she could manage a trip with the way she relaxed in the lead at the Valley.
“I didn’t think she was as an Oaks filly because she is built more like a sprinter-miler but after tonight I wouldn’t put it past her,” Arnold said.
“She relaxed well in the run, has got a nice turn of foot and as three-year-olds they don’t have to be dead-set stayers.
“She got the right temperament and races on the speed and drops her head and she is winning well.”
Empress Rock was never in any danger and scored by 3-3/4 lengths from Total Attraction and Our Miss Jones.
Cumming’s spokesman and long time track rider Joe Agresta said Empress Rock was a big filly with plenty of style.
“Ever since she came down to Melbourne (from Sydney) she has improved,” Agresta said.
“She was only 60 per cent fit when she finished third first-up at Caulfield and 80 per cent when she ran a cracker and finished second (in the Typhoon Tracy at Moonee Valley) and we all saw what she could do last start in the Kewney.
“She relaxes so well you can put her anywhere you want in a race and when she rolled to the front tonight I thought it would be pretty easy for her.”
