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Last-start Group One winner Devise will be given her chance to add black type honours across the Tasman to her record.
The Shaune Ritchie-trained mare will head to Melbourne on Wednesday night ahead of Saturday’s Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington with Chad Schofield booked for the ride.
“I watched her work this morning and she has improved and gone to another level since she won the Haunui Farm WFA Classic and 2000m is definitely her best trip,” said Rick Williams, who manages The Oaks Stud for Devise’s breeder-owner Dick Karreman.
They had been considering a start at Ellerslie in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) on Saturday, but an unstable forecast has made Flemington the best option.
“She can’t win a maiden on a wet track,” Williams said. “There’s also the option of the Mornington Cup, that’s worth $A300,000, in three weeks and the winner of that qualifies for the Caulfield Cup.”
The Oaks celebrated a significant result last weekend when resident stallion Roc de Cambes’ son Vin De Dance won the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).
“It was a great result for a relatively young sire, his statistics are very, very good,” Williams said. “His best crop is coming through now.”