Tasmanian filly Hela will attempt to extend her unbeaten record to eight when she lines up in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville.
Undefeated Tasmanian filly Hela will be out to equal a feat of former champion sprinter Black Caviar when she runs in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville.
Hela has won all seven of her starts to date in Tasmania and on Saturday lines up for her first Group 1 assignment.
Black Caviar, undefeated in a 25-start career, did not start at the highest level until her eighth start, winning the 2010 Patinack Classic (1200m).
To date Hela has one Listed race on the board whereas Black Caviar went into her Group 1 debut with six ‘black type’ wins under the belt.
Scott Brunton, who trains Hela, said the filly, a $30,000 yearling purchase in Tasmania, had done everything asked of her to date.
“We’re really putting the acid on her travelling her away from home to what she is used to, and she is a creature of habit,” Brunton told RSN.
“It’s a pretty high bar to clear, but I wouldn’t swap her for anything.”
Hela made the trip to the Murray Bridge stables of Mick Huxtable after a flight from Launceston to Melbourne and then by road to South Australia.
Brunton said the 14-hour door-to-door travel was not ideal, but the filly took it in her stride.
Chasing a maiden Group 1 win, Brunton said he would cherish a victory at the highest level, especially with a filly like Hela.
Hela has been successful over distances ranging from 1100m to 2100m and doing it up on speed.
“She’ll make it hard for them from the front,” Brunton said.
“She works hard early and she’s got a turn of foot which is a massive ace up her sleeve.
“I think she’s a terrific horse, is she a great horse, I don’t know, but the stepping stone will be told on Saturday.”
