Back in early February, the Australian Oaks wasn’t even on Pam Gerard’s radar. At the time, Dubai Goldrush hadn’t broken her maiden status, making any Group 1 ambition seem distant.

“When the ‘noms’ were first put out she hadn’t even won a maiden so we never even thought about it,” Gerard said of a Sydney Oaks bid.

“But we knew she had a lot of ability there. We thought she may have been more a Brisbane type of filly but she improved so sharply and so quickly.”

After a strong runner-up performance in the New Zealand Oaks (2400m), Dubai Goldrush has earned her late entry into Saturday’s Australian Oaks, with connections paying the $22,000 late fee.

“They tell us in New Zealand that (New Zealand Oaks winner) Leica Lucy is pretty much a superstar and she gave it a pretty good fright. She has come through the race really well so we chucked in a late nomination and thought, we’ll have a go at Sydney.”

Dubai Goldrush, sired by Pride Of Dubai, impressed with her stamina in her last run and now faces top competition including Leica Lucy and favourite Treasurethe Moment.

“Leica Lucy had a pretty long season at home. We were there at Trentham when she beat us and she was out on her feet that day, she gave it everything and was so tough,” Gerard said.

“Whether she (Leica Lucy) can turn around and change stables and handle everything different go on with her and do it again, I’m not sure, I’m not involved with her. But if we can beat her I’ll be super happy.”

Gerard is cautious but optimistic about challenging the favourite. “She looks gorgeous and obviously she is one out of the box. If we can get close to her we’d be happy,” Gerard said.

Gerard has previously come close in Sydney classics and believes Dubai Goldrush will only improve. “Obviously, you’ve got some horrifically good ones here at the moment so it’s pretty scary,” she said.

“But if we can get out there and run a nice race and be thereabouts, she is only going to improve as a four-year-old.”