Champion trainer Chris Waller will notch another milestone this week when he has his first starter in the VRC Oaks at Flemington.

Waller will send out The Pearls in Thursday’s 2500m Group 1 for three-year-old fillies after the improving youngster continued to progress through every stage of her campaign.

The Pearls scored at Hawkesbury over 1500m on September 25 before running second in the Gloaming Stakes and third in the Spring Champion Stakes.

Waller admitted he had been half-expecting reasons not to push toward the Oaks, but the filly refused to give any.

“It’s not generally a race that suits our style and the distance comes up quickly,” Waller said.

“But she’s handled every step. If at any point she didn’t, she was going to the paddock.”

Instead, the filly has thrived.

Waller has had great success with staying fillies later into their three-year-old seasons, winning the Australian Oaks, Australasian Oaks and Queensland Oaks previously — including the latter with Winx.

“She’s a big, strong filly and she’s tough,” he said.

The Pearls has drawn barrier 12, a challenge that now rests with jockey James McDonald.

If you’re punting on Thursday’s Oaks card, see the Australian betting sites list.