New Zealand-bred fillies Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man) and Vegas Jewel (NZ) (Shocking) look set for a rematch in the Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m) after fighting out the finish of the Gr.2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
The Danny O’Brien-trained Miami Bound edged out the Mark Kavanagh-trained Vegas Jewel by a neck in Saturday’s Group Two race for three-year-old fillies and the pair now share favouritism at $3.50 for Thursday’s Oaks.
They gapped their rivals in the Wakeful on a soft track, with Palumbo (Sebring) six lengths away in third.
The VRC Oaks has been a long-range target for O’Brien with Miami Bound who will try to emulate her dam Arapaho Miss (Danehill Dancer) who won the VRC Oaks in 2007.
“We’ve always known once this filly got out over ground she was going to be hard to beat in anything we put her in,” O’Brien said.
“We’ve been pretty open about the preparation all spring that we were only having her peaking for one week and that was this week.
“We’ve got the first bit of it out of the way and it’s usually a pretty good guide to Thursday.
“She’ll be better again when she gets out to 2500 metres.
“Hopefully we can just wrap her up in cotton wool and bring her back on Thursday.”
Bred by Gerry Harvey, Miami Bound was purchased by O’Brien out of Westbury Stud’s 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 draft for $120,000.
It's Cup carnival history for Damien Oliver! Miami Bound wins the G.H. Mumm Wakeful Stakes.
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 2, 2019
What a ride, you're a marvel Ollie. 🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/bbzMwSyoOj
