Wobbling horse De Armas takes unlikely shot at $1 million Oaks after weekend win
De Armas won the Wakeful Stakes on Saturday despite balance struggles, and now contests Thursday's $1 million VRC Oaks.
Trainer Chris Waller and syndicator Terry Henderson backed De Armas into the VRC Oaks almost by accident. De Armas staggered around Caulfield in October's Thousand Guineas, appearing to wobble all over the track on the turn, yet finished strongly for fourth.
The team planned to stop there. De Armas showed an explosive turn of foot on Saturday to win the group 2 Wakeful Stakes over 2000 metres at Flemington.
Now, rider James McDonald will saddle her for Thursday's 2500-metre Oaks. Favourite Proxima Dea comes from a wide barrier but has the form: she beat Saturday's Victoria Derby winner Stormy Marco twice.
De Armas stays shorter distances better on paper, yet her pedigree holds some staying stamina through her dam. Both horses face the same key question: can they handle the distance and still finish strong?
- $1 million
- Prize money
- 2500 metres
- Oaks distance
- Group 2, 2000 metres
- Wakeful winning margin
- One
- De Armas barrier
Why it mattersThe Oaks is one of Australia's richest races, and form in lead-up races like the Wakeful has historically been the best guide to Thursday's winner.
AustraliaOaks Day is Victoria's biggest racing event after the Cup, and the outcome will shape betting patterns and conversation across Australian racing for weeks.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 54 min ago
