Displaying commendable determination, Proxima Dea led throughout the Elite Sand And Soil Handicap (1400m), successfully resisting the persistent challenge from Defensemen to achieve a narrow victory.
Despite being the rank outsider in the field at $51, Proxima Dea’s tough win did not surprise trainer David Payne.
“I think she’s going to make a good horse, she’s my Oaks filly for the spring,” Payne commented. “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.”
Ridden by Reece Jones, Proxima Dea ($51) appeared to be under pressure when Defensemen ($4.60) drew alongside and hit the front halfway down the straight. However, Payne’s filly fought back on the inside to claim a deserved win. Woodenbridge ($8.50) encountered trouble at the top of the straight and performed well to finish two-and-a-half lengths behind in third, while favourite Rumdabar ($3.10) struggled in the heavy conditions and ran fifth.
Jones mentioned that Proxima Dea refused to surrender 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’s breeding suggests she will stay, being by Tarzino out of Invisible Coin, and she is a full sister to the 2022 Queensland Oaks winner, Gypsy Goddess.
Payne has a small stable at Rosehill, but the champion trainer always has a quality horse in his yard, and he might now have three very promising rising three-year-old fillies in Proxima Dea, Krasina, and the exciting young sprinter Bangkok Hottie.
“I will have a think about what we do with Proxima Dea but ultimately she’s out Oaks filly,” Payne confirmed. “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.”
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