It’s been nearly a quarter of a century since Gai Waterhouse last tasted success in the Australasian Oaks, but this Saturday she and training partner Adrian Bott will saddle two promising fillies in a bid to repeat the feat.

Waterhouse and Bott will be represented by Too Darn Lizzie and Phenom in the 2000m Group 1 feature for three-year-old fillies at Morphettville, where a capacity field of 16 will greet the starter.

Too Darn Lizzie has had a consistent campaign, placing in all three runs this prep at Stakes level, including a runner-up finish in the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at The Valley.

“She’s had a trial in between runs,” Bott said. “Her form this time in has been excellent. The 2000 metres is new territory for her, but she’s shown indications that she will handle that sort of trip and we have to take in her class as well.”

“We always wanted to stretch her to a mile. We did that early in her three-year-old season and now she’s had a couple of preparations and some grounding for it. Against her own age and sex, there’s plenty there to suggest she will see it (2000m) out strongly.”

Phenom, meanwhile, brings strong lead-up form of her own. After resuming in Sydney, she won a benchmark race at Sandown before placing in both the Alexandra Stakes and the Group 3 Auraria Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville.

“She ran over 1800 metres last time and I thought she ran it out strongly after hitting a bit of a flat spot, or getting a little bit lost on the turn,” Bott said.

“She had raced that way of going before but seemed to get unbalanced and lost momentum, but she was very good through the line. Indications are that she should appreciate the 2000 metres as well.”

Too Darn Lizzie will be ridden by Blake Shinn, while apprentice Rochelle Milnes takes the ride on Phenom for the local leg of the Group 1 double-pronged attack.