Valley Girl
Trish Dunell
Tavago's (NZ) (Tavistock) Australian Derby win has given trainer Donna Logan even more reason to believe Valley Girl (NZ)(Mastercraftsman) has what it takes to win the fillies version.
Valley Girl, who finished in front of Tavago in the New Zealand Derby, goes to Saturday's Oaks (2400m) as an $8 chance after her Group One second to Single Gaze in the Vinery Stud Stakes.
The $3.20 favourite to win the Oaks is Jameka who is backing up from her 3-1/4 length second to Tavago in last Saturday's Derby.
Logan won the Oaks with Rising Romance (NZ) (Ekraar) two years ago using a similar program to Valley Girl who has an extra feather in her cap as a weight-for-age winner at home.
"The form from the New Zealand Derby has stood up so I hope it stands up for me tomorrow," Logan said.
"The filly has had a good couple of weeks since the Vinery and is very bright and well which is what you want to see when you bring them over here."
Valley Girl finished fifth in the NZ Derby with just half a length covering the first five.
Capella (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) edged Valley Girl out of fourth, then ran fifth in the Vinery while Tavago missed the Derby start and was caught in the backwash of an early scrimmage before running on for sixth.
That form is confidence-building for Logan with VRC Oaks winner Jameka the stumbling block.
With the exception of her first start this campaign, the Ciaron Maher-trained Jameka has raced against her male counterparts.