Unbeaten Proxima Dea rockets to VRC Oaks favouritism

It proved a pulsating finish with dashing Doradus opening up a six lengths lead coming into the straight only for Proxima Dea to reel in the front-runner in the final few strides.

Master trainer David Payne immediately outlined plans to set his talented filly for the Oaks at Flemington during Melbourne Cup Week in early November.

Proxima Dea with the perfectly timed run makes it 3 from 3!@NockBraith @DPayneRacing pic.twitter.com/MUgdyJQLmS

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 29, 2026

“This filly has a lot of upside and will stay all day,” Payne said.

“She’s very promising and I want to get her to the Oaks in the spring, that’s her main mission.

“I’ll give her 10 days in the paddock now to freshen her up as she’s very fit.

“I might look at a race like the Gloaming Stakes for her and then decide whether we stay in Sydney or send her straight to Melbourne for the Oaks.”

Proxima Dea ($4) scored her third win from as many starts in her debut race preparation when she finished strongly to run down Doradus ($3.40) to score by a short head with Prefer Diamonds ($51) a half neck away third.

Talented apprentice Braith Nock rode a superb race on Proxima Dea and didn’t panic when Doradus slipped clear to his big lead.

“I was happy enough with the run that we had,” Nock said.

“It was a fast tempo and she was a little out of her comfort zone just to stay in touch so I didn’t want to go for her too soon.

“But when the pressure went on, she was tough right to the end.”

Proxima Dea firmed to $8 equal favouritism with Miss Chanel for the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on November 5.

There are also big-race ambitions for the emerging Zalique after he overcame a wide barrier and proved too good for his rivals in the TAB Highway (1400m).

Zalique ($4.40 favourite), ridden with intent by champion jockey Tommy Berry, zoomed across from his wide barrier to settle outside the early leader before forging clear to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths from Giddy Up Griff ($6) with Xtreme ($5.50) a close third.

Trainer Matt Dunn wasn’t on-course but spoke to Racing And Sports post-race and has a good opinion of the emerging Zalique, who improved his record to three wins on the bounce this preparation from just five career starts.

“He’s only lightly-raced and still learning but he’s a promising horse,” Dunn said.

“I would think he’s an ideal type for the Country Championships next autumn but I wouldn’t rule out having a look at The Kosciuszko (Everest Day, October 17).

“He puts himself into a race early, gets up on speed and gives himself every chance. He’s certainly racing in very good form.”