The Chris Waller stable faces a significant decision following De Armas’ commanding victory in the traditional VRC Oaks lead-up event at Flemington.
Before the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) on Saturday, Waller had indicated that Your Colour and Tharwa were likely to be his chosen representatives for the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on Thursday. However, the stable may need to reconsider this strategy with Tharwa finishing ninth and Your Colour trailing in eleventh.
Last year, Waller had his first Oaks runner, The Pearls, who secured second place.
De Armas, sent off as the $3.60 equal favourite under Blake Shinn, capitalised on a solid tempo to achieve a 1-¼ length win from Girl With A Pearl ($61). The other $3.60 favourite, Icelady, who had dictated the terms in front, held on for third, an additional 1-½ lengths behind.
With Waller attending the Golden Eagle meeting in Sydney, stable representative Darren Beadman praised Shinn’s ride. “That was a 12 out of 10 ride,” Beadman said. “We were quite fortunate that they did roll along in the race, running good sectionals, which probably allowed him to be a little bit further back and just to rest her. “She chimed into the race probably a little bit too well and got to the front probably a little bit too quick, but we won’t knock that one back.”
Beadman commented that De Armas is an improving filly, though her race-day manners still require attention. “She still did a few things wrong,” Beadman noted. “She laid out, she didn’t really get around Caulfield the other day, but the big track here obviously suits her. “She’s obviously entered for the Oaks on Thursday, so Chris and the team will see how she pulls up, but OTI have got a very handy filly on their hands.”
For Shinn, this marked his third win in the Wakeful Stakes, having previously guided Thunder Lady (2011) and Luvaluva (2017) to victory for John Sargent.
Shinn conveyed that De Armas presented a challenge to ride, particularly due to her unsteadiness around the home turn. “She really was quite unbalanced getting around the turn,” Shinn said. “I was really trying to coax her to get onto her right leg, her offside leg, just to balance out. “It took me a little bit to get her to change, but she won authoritatively and ran the distance out nicely. “It’s my third Wakeful, it’s a great lead up to the Oaks and you never know what Chris will do now with her.”
Considering the VRC Oaks, explore the available racing odds at betting markets for the race.