UNBEATEN PROXIMA DEA STORMS TO VRC OAKS GLORY AT FLEMINGTON

Proxima Dea kept her perfect record intact with a commanding success in the Group 1 VRC Oaks at Flemington on Thursday, extending her unbeaten run to six races and adding a second top-level prize in the space of a fortnight.

Trained by veteran David Payne and ridden by 23-year-old Zac Lloyd, the Sydney-based filly overcame the second-widest draw in a field of 16 to stretch clear over the 2,500-metre trip. She crossed the line a length and three-quarters ahead of the Rob Blacker-trained Shameful Impulse, with the Chris Waller-trained De Armas next home.

A rapid rise through the ranks

A daughter of Tarzino out of Invisible Coin, and a full sister to 2022 Queensland Oaks winner Gypsy Goddess, Proxima Dea has climbed swiftly through the grades this spring. She landed the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes in early October before taking on colts and geldings in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick, which she also won just 12 days before her trip to Melbourne.

The step up to a mile and a half was the big unknown, but she answered every question, travelling smoothly before asserting in the straight. Payne, whose training career spans more than five decades and began in his native South Africa, was full of praise for her economical style of racing.

"She's such a good mover and she doesn't spend an ounce of energy." – David Payne, speaking after the race (via the VRC)

Milestone for Lloyd

The victory was a notable landmark for South African-born Lloyd, giving him his first Group 1 success at Flemington and taking his tally of top-level wins to eight. It capped a memorable week for the young rider, who had ridden his first Flemington winner only two days earlier on Melbourne Cup day.

What's next

Payne indicated that Proxima Dea will now be given a well-earned break after her busy spring campaign. With stamina now firmly proven and her unbeaten record still intact, she looks set to be one of the leading names in Australian racing when she returns.