A plan formulated following a big finish in a record breaking race at Ellerslie in April will be fulfilled if Eleonora can triumph in Thursday's VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington.
Eleonora came from second last to rush home and finish second to Astara in the Listed Champagne Stakes over 1600m in 1:34.32 - the fastest ever time for a two-year-old race in New Zealand - and prompted trainer Murray Baker to think ahead to the Flemington fillies classic.
"She finished very strongly to a good filly and when we saw the time we knew we had a good filly of our own," Baker, who trains Eleonora in partnership with Andrew Forsman, said.
"To see her finish off in a fast run race like that made us think of the Oaks and she's done everything right since."
Eleonora broke her maiden on the synthetic surface at Geelong in September before going to the line untested when unplaced in the Gr.2 Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington.
"She had no luck at all there from barrier two," Baker said. "We're pretty sure if she had got a run in the straight she would have gone close but she put that right next start."
Eleonora had a clear passage in the Gr.3 Ethereal Stakes last time out over 2000m at Caulfield and came home 1 1/4-lengths clear of subsequent Wakeful Stakes winner Tiamo Grace.
Eleonora races in the colours of Lib Petagna who won the Australian Oaks with Sofia Rosa, also a daughter of Makfi, and Baker said he is confident Eleonora will relish the Oaks trip.
"I'm very happy with her and she's done well since Caulfield," Baker said. "She runs like a stayer and is certainly bred to get the distance with Ethereal as her granddam.
"Outside of the favourite (Yankee Rose) it doesn't look an over strong race and I'm very happy with our filly.
"With ordinary luck we think she will be in the finish." -racenet.com.au
Eleonora came from second last to rush home and finish second to Astara in the Listed Champagne Stakes over 1600m in 1:34.32 - the fastest ever time for a two-year-old race in New Zealand - and prompted trainer Murray Baker to think ahead to the Flemington fillies classic.
"She finished very strongly to a good filly and when we saw the time we knew we had a good filly of our own," Baker, who trains Eleonora in partnership with Andrew Forsman, said.
"To see her finish off in a fast run race like that made us think of the Oaks and she's done everything right since."
Eleonora broke her maiden on the synthetic surface at Geelong in September before going to the line untested when unplaced in the Gr.2 Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington.
"She had no luck at all there from barrier two," Baker said. "We're pretty sure if she had got a run in the straight she would have gone close but she put that right next start."
Eleonora had a clear passage in the Gr.3 Ethereal Stakes last time out over 2000m at Caulfield and came home 1 1/4-lengths clear of subsequent Wakeful Stakes winner Tiamo Grace.
Eleonora races in the colours of Lib Petagna who won the Australian Oaks with Sofia Rosa, also a daughter of Makfi, and Baker said he is confident Eleonora will relish the Oaks trip.
"I'm very happy with her and she's done well since Caulfield," Baker said. "She runs like a stayer and is certainly bred to get the distance with Ethereal as her granddam.
"Outside of the favourite (Yankee Rose) it doesn't look an over strong race and I'm very happy with our filly.
"With ordinary luck we think she will be in the finish." -racenet.com.au