Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, the training duo, are comfortable with Joely confronting the colts in a Stakes race at Flemington as part of their strategy to win the VRC Oaks.
Joely is one of two fillies slated to participate in the Group 2 Drummond Golf Vase (2040m) this Saturday, marking her final run before she contests the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on November 5.
The last filly to achieve victory in the Vase was Jameka in 2015, who subsequently went on to win the Oaks at her next race.
The more conventional route to the Oaks typically involves the Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington the following Saturday, but Busuttin feels the Vase is a better fit for the filly’s progression towards the Group 1 event next month.
Busuttin conveyed that the team had made the decision to skip the Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield last Saturday, focusing instead on this race.
“She was nominated for the Ethereal, but the aim is the Oaks, and I just thought with 12 days to the Oaks, it fits in nicely,” Busuttin stated.
“I also thought Flemington suited her better than Caulfield and she’s worked up well (with Blind Raise at Flemington on Tuesday) and she will go into the race well.”
Joely has only competed in three races to date, beginning with a debut win over 1400m at Echuca in August. She then finished sixth over the same distance in the Thousand Guineas Prelude at Caulfield on September 19.
In her most recent appearance, Joely rallied from the second half of the field to finish second, though she was six lengths behind Saintly Dancer, in the Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on October 3.
Saintly Dancer later affirmed the quality of that form by winning the Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield last Saturday. Significantly, Craig Williams will again be in the saddle for the filly on Saturday.
“Our filly is an out-and-out 2000-metre, mile-and-a-half filly and she was strong through the line last time,” Busuttin commented.
“The form line is very good and it should suit her.”
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