Queensland owner Dick Karreman looks set to have a good second string for the New Zealand Oaks with Wednesday’s Sunline Vase winner Artistic.

The Darci Brahma filly gained a well-deserved win in the listed Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie, getting a nice rails run for jockey Michael Coleman to out-class Joy’s Choice and Split Second.

Karreman’s best filly Zurella is co-favourite for the Oaks, to be run at Trentham on March 17, but Artistic has run well enough in fillies races to suggest she is a chance in the Oaks.

“She’s run into what’s a very good crop of fillies. Even without Silent Achiever it’s a very good crop, so just coming down that one level she’s got her just desserts,” said Shaune Ritchie, who trains Zurella and Artistic.

“She’ll be a good second string for me.”

Artistic has one attribute Zurella lacks, which is an ability to handle most track conditions,

Zurella tends to need firm footing.

“If the track’s off Zurella won’t run, and with the same owner for both horses it makes life a little easier because we can scratch Zurella knowing we’ve got a nice chance in the race,” Ritchie said.

Jockey Michael Coleman said Artistic was an honest filly who deserved the victory.

“It’s probably the first time she’s drawn a good barrier today and we made the most of it,” Coleman said.