The little filly that could: 15k Diva set to tackle the Oaks

Hawkesbury trainers Mitchell and Desiree Kearney drove into Melbourne on Cup morning ready to chase their dream.

Their moment of destiny won’t come until Thursday when Sheeza Diva faces the starter in the VRC Oaks.

“She is probably the best horse we have had in 14 years,” Mitchell Kearney said. “It has been a goal to be in the Oaks with her because she is a stayer.”

“We are driving into Melbourne with a horse float, and I think everyone thinks we are going to the races.”

“Diva and her Shetland pony mate are in the back and we are excited for Thursday to come.”

”We think she is capable of running a big race and running a place.”

The Kearneys made news when Powerball winners Daniel Springfield and Jasmine Banks chose them as the trainers after spending more than $2 million at the yearling sales earlier this year.

But Sheeza Diva is the sort of horse they are used to training, being a $15,000 daughter of Pierro.

The Oaks has been the dream, and she gets there as a $34 chance in a market dominated by Wakeful Stakes winner Getta Good Feeling, which is $1.80 favourite.

Sheeza Diva has only won once in 11 starts, a Super Maiden on her home track, but she has shown staying talent charging into fourth in the Gloaming Stakes before finishing midfield in the Spring Champion Stakes, when blinkers were applied.

“We probably got that wrong [the blinkers] and she didn’t like the stop-start nature of that race,” Kearney said. “She likes to flow in her races, and we are sure she will stay the 2500m trip.”

“If Rachel [King] can get her to relax and be happy, she will be strong at the end.”

“She is only small, but she is a real stayer and we are going to get to test it in the Oaks.”