Aliyana Tilde is by an Oakleigh Plate winner but trainer Kerry Parker decided early on that the filly was an Australian Oaks prospect.
Aliyana Tilde will take aim in Saturday’s Group One Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick and Parker is heading into the 2400m Classic believing the daughter of Snitzel has genuine hopes of an upset.
“I think she’s a genuine chance, no doubt at all,” Parker said.
“I’m very happy with her and she’s doing everything right.
“We’ve probably got to hope Streama doesn’t run 2400 metres out strongly to give us a chance but all in all I think she’s a genuine hope.”
Group One Flight Stakes winner Streama is a dominant early favourite with acceptances to be taken on Wednesday.
Aliyana Tilde was well beaten in third place to Mosheen and Streama in the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) last start at her first try at 2000m.
“I think after her second start in a race last year we thought we better bring her back this time in and aim for the Oaks,” Parker said.
“She’s always had a really relaxed attitude and got back in her races and run on.
“It’s always been our aim to go to the Oaks this preparation.”
Blake Shinn, who has ridden Aliyana Tilde for third placings in the Keith Nolan Classic (1600m) and Vinery Stud Stakes, retains the ride on Saturday.
Parker said he had kept the three-year-old ticking over since the Vinery in which she was beaten 3-1/4-lengths.
“We obviously went into that race hoping for an upset but all in all we were thrilled she got a Group One placing behind the two class fillies,” Parker said.
“No doubt Streama is the horse to beat on Saturday. She gave us a licking and put three or four lengths on us at the top of the straight in the Vinery but I thought our filly chased hard and ran right to the line.
“Put another 400 metres on and that might help.”
Streama’s trainer Guy Walter originally had the Doncaster Mile as an option for the three-year-old but shelved those plans after Streama finished fifth in the Coolmore Classic.
Her second to Mosheen at her first start over 2000m in the Vinery was enough to press on to the Oaks.
