Trainer Leon Corstens is looking to Fantome Gris to shed her maiden status and stamp her Oaks credentials in Saturday’s Listed Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield.
Fantome Gris is on the second line of early betting for next month’s VRC Oaks (2500m) along with Star Fashion, behind dominant favourite May’s Dream.
Corstens plans to head to the Oaks with Fantome Gris who has finished her races off strongly from back in the field at her past two starts but is yet to win a race from six attempts.
“We hope with rapid improvement she’s good enough to head that way,” Corstens said.
The grey filly came to the outside in the Group Two Edward Manifold Stakes (1610m) last start at Flemington and charged late for fourth, getting within two lengths of winner Se Sauver and runner-up Star Fashion.
Corstens said the way the filly had been finishing her races was encouraging stepping up to 2000m on Saturday.
“I thought she was a little bit unlucky last start at Flemington,” Corstens said.
“You keep hoping all the time that she’s made enough improvement but all you can do is wait and see.
“She doesn’t work anything sensational so it’s hard to get on guide on her at trackwork. She leaves everything for raceday.”
The Ethereal Stakes field includes Sydney filly Arabian Gold and the David Hayes-trained Star Fashion.
Hayes had considered running Star Fashion in the Thousand Guineas but said the Ethereal Stakes was the right race for her on her way to the Oaks.
Meanwhile, a number of Victoria Derby aspirants will contest the Group Three Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) on Saturday with the Peter Snowden-trained San Diego favourite.
San Diego will be out to continue a recent run of success for the Darley team of three-year-olds after a Group One double last Saturday with Long John and Complacent in the Caulfield Guineas and Spring Champion Stakes and Wednesday’s Group One Thousand Guineas with Guelph.
