Under the guidance of master trainer David Payne, Proxima Dea maintained her undefeated status with a remarkable performance.
The diminutive filly, possessing a slender build, executed a wide manoeuvre from the 600-metre point. She momentarily took the lead after the bend but soon faced stern opposition. However, she rallied magnificently under pressure to reclaim and hold a slight advantage at the finish line.
The top five finishers were separated by less than half a length, with Proxima Dea achieving victory by a narrow margin.
“She is so game and just keeps coming. She doesn’t know when to give up,” Payne said. “She will even be better once you go out over further, too.
“I know she is nothing to look at. When you look at her everyone bags her, me included.
“The owner says ‘she is beautiful’ and I say ‘where, she is ugly’. But she has guts!”
Proxima Dea ($4 favourite), ridden by Zac Lloyd, won by a short neck from Wonka ($7.50), with Scarole ($8) finishing a short half head back in third.
Lloyd was effusive in his praise for the filly’s courage and tenacity following her fourth win from as many starts.
“She’s so narrow,” Lloyd said. “She reminds me a lot of Zardozi in stature.
“But she just tries her hardest, and winners win. She knows how to win.”
Payne revealed his intention to aim Proxima Dea towards the Group 1 $2 million Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on October 24, a race Lloyd deemed “perfect” for the filly.
“She will be in with a great chance,” Lloyd said. “That race today was not run to suit her at all. They went very steady, I got onto heels into the first bend. I wasn’t as smooth as I would have liked and I can do a better job in the Spring Champion or the Oaks, so for her to still win, she’s just so strong late. S
“She is going to eat up 2000 and eventually an Oaks trip. It’s very exciting for her.”
Lloyd also singled out Payne for special praise, mentioning the long-standing connection between his father, former champion jockey Jeff, and the trainer, stemming from their South African origins.
“You never doubt him,” Lloyd said.
“My dad has told me all along, you never doubt what he (Payne) does and you just follow along, so it’s a pleasure to ride for him.”
Proxima Dea has made history as only the third filly to win the Gloaming Stakes, and the first since Constant Flight defeated the colts in 1993.
The inaugural Gloaming Stakes in 1978 was won by the exceptional Neville Begg-trained Kapalaran, who also maintained an undefeated record.
Payne had previously trained Ace High to win the 2017 Gloaming Stakes and the Spring Champion Stakes double, prior to the stayer’s VRC Derby win in Melbourne.
The champion trainer confirmed that the Spring Champion Stakes is the next goal for Proxima Dea, with the VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on November 5 also on the agenda.
“This was her first run for six weeks, she has had a bit of a spell between runs and there is improvement to come for the Spring Champion,” Payne said.
“She’s a very good filly, very tough, and will be even better when she gets out to the Oaks trip.”
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