Group I Australasian Oaks Goal for Daisies

Sebring filly Daisies showed plenty of potential last spring and took another step forward on Friday night winning the Group III MVRC Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.

Winner of the Group III MVRC Ethereal Stakes last October and then fifth in the Group I VRC Oaks, Daisies was well primed at her second run back from a spell by Mick Price and Mick Kent Jr.

She travelled smoothly in the run for Mark Zahra and found the line well between runners to score a half length win over Bons a Pearler, her second victory from eight starts with prizemoney topping $340,000.

“She’s set for the G1 Australasian Oaks in Adelaide, so to win this race is a bonus,” said Mick Price.

“J-Mac rode her in the Oaks in the spring at 2500m and she didn’t quite get the trip, so the Australasian Oaks at 2000m seemed a good option.”

A $250,000 purchase by Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Widden Stud draft at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Daisies was bred by Widden stud in partnership and is a sister to stakes-placed Motown Lil being the best of four winners from Tigress Lily.

Tigress Lily is a metro winning three-quarter sister-in-blood by Snitzel to stakes-winners My Sister Lil and Ygritte, being from Zabeel mare Empress Lily who placed in the VRC Oaks, VRC Edward Manifold Stakes and Kewney Stakes.

Tigress Lily is also a grand-daughter of New Zealand Horse of the Year and New Zealand Oaks winner Tycoon Lil, so it’s a great female family for fillies.

Tigress Lily produced a filly by Pierata last spring and is now in foal to Written By.

If Daisies is successful in winning the Group I SAJC Australasian Oaks she won’t be the first filly by Sebring to achieve the feat as the race was won in 2017 by another of his daughters in Egg Tart.