Maestro trainer David Payne oversaw Proxima Dea’s continued unbeaten run with a performance that defied logic.
The petite filly, built on a slight frame, embarked on a four-wide journey from the 600-metre marker. She briefly held the lead after the turn but soon found herself under pressure, relinquishing the advantage only to launch a magnificent rally and regain a narrow lead at the wire.
Less than a half-length separated the top five finishers, with Proxima Dea clinching victory by a slender margin.
“She is so game and just keeps coming. She doesn’t know when to give up,” Payne said. “She will even be better once you go out over further, too.
“I know she is nothing to look at. When you look at her everyone bags her, me included.
“The owner says ‘she is beautiful’ and I say ‘where, she is ugly’. But she has guts!”
Proxima Dea ($4 favourite), steered by Zac Lloyd, secured a short neck win from Wonka ($7.50), with Scarole ($8) a short half head back in third.
Lloyd expressed his deep admiration for the filly’s courage and determination, noting her fourth win from as many starts.
“She’s so narrow,” Lloyd said. “She reminds me a lot of Zardozi in stature.
“But she just tries her hardest, and winners win. She knows how to win.”
Payne has now set his sights on the Group 1 $2 million Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on October 24 for Proxima Dea, a race Lloyd described as “perfect” for the filly.
“She will be in with a great chance,” Lloyd said. “That race today was not run to suit her at all. They went very steady, I got onto heels into the first bend. I wasn’t as smooth as I would have liked and I can do a better job in the Spring Champion or the Oaks, so for her to still win, she’s just so strong late. S
“She is going to eat up 2000 and eventually an Oaks trip. It’s very exciting for her.”
Lloyd also offered special commendation for Payne, referencing the long-standing connection his father, former champion jockey Jeff, shares with the trainer from their South African roots.
“You never doubt him,” Lloyd said.
“My dad has told me all along, you never doubt what he (Payne) does and you just follow along, so it’s a pleasure to ride for him.”
Proxima Dea has etched her name in history as the third filly to win the Gloaming Stakes and the first since Constant Flight triumphed over the colts in 1993.
The inaugural Gloaming Stakes in 1978 was claimed by the outstanding Neville Begg-trained Kapalaran, who also preserved an unbeaten record.
Payne had previously trained Ace High to win the 2017 Gloaming Stakes and the Spring Champion Stakes double, before the stayer went on to claim the VRC Derby in Melbourne.
The champion trainer confirmed that Proxima Dea’s next target is the Spring Champion Stakes, followed by the VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on November 5.
“This was her first run for six weeks, she has had a bit of a spell between runs and there is improvement to come for the Spring Champion,” Payne said.
“She’s a very good filly, very tough, and will be even better when she gets out to the Oaks trip.”
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