David Payne unveils Oaks hope after Randwick upset

Proxima Dea certainly showed admirable determination to lead throughout and ward off the persistent challenge of Defensemen to score the narrowest of wins in the Elite Sand And Soil Handicap (1400m).

Proxima Dea was the rank outsider of the field at $51 but didn’t surprise David Payne with her tough win.

“I think she’s going to make a good horse, she’s my Oaks filly for the spring,” Payne said.

“The plan was to lead today and make them try and run her down. She’s tough and she will stay – her stamina kicked in when the other horse came at her.”

Proxima Dea ($51), ridden by Reece Jones, looked under siege when Defensemen ($4.60) ranged alongside her and hit the front half-way down the straight only for Payne’s filly to kick back on the inside to score a deserved win.

By a whisker! 😮 Proxima Dea gets there on debut! 📸@DPayneRacing @aus_turf_club @racing_nsw pic.twitter.com/fWA0etDgYr

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 11, 2026

Woodenbridge ($8.50) struck trouble at the top of the straight and did well to finish two-and-a-half lengths away third while favourite Rumdabar ($3.10) laboured in the heavy conditions and ran fifth.

Jones said Proxima Dea refused to accept defeat when Defensemen made his challenge.

“She fought hard and really wanted to win,” Jones told Payne. “She’s only going to be better for the experience, too.”

Proxima Dea is bred to stay by Tarzino out of Invisible Coin which makes her a full sister to 2022 Queensland Oaks winner Gypsy Goddess.

Payne only has a small team in work at Rosehill but the champion trainer always has a good horse in his stable and he might have three very promising rising three-year-old fillies in Proxima Dea, Krasina and boom young sprinter Bangkok Hottie.

“I will have a think about what we do with Proxima Dea but ultimately she’s out Oaks filly,” Payne said.
“Bangkok Hottie is back in work and we will aim her at the Princess Series (Silver Shadow Stakes, Furious Stakes, Tea Rose Stakes and Flight Stakes) in the spring.

“And don’t forget about Krasina, she’s another very talented filly. It’s nice to have some good ones going into the new season.”