Crown Oaks (Group 1)

PROXIMA Dea has kept her perfect record intact to win Thursday’s Group 1 Victoria Oaks at Flemington over 2,500 metres.

Trained by ex-pat South African David Payne and ridden by Zac Lloyd, the Tarzino filly jumped from the second widest gate, with Lloyd moving forward but content to take a sit four, and then three-wide.

With a lack of pace in the race, the outsider Nikitria pushed forward past the halfway point to join the Victoria Derby third-placed Quick Finish, as the injection of speed stretched the field giving some respite to Proxima Dea, who had been tugging on the bridle in fourth.

Rounding the bend, Lloyd had Proxima Dea perfectly placed and the filly, whom David Payne rates higher than his four-time Group 1 winner Montefilia, did the rest.

In front 350 metres out, she was never in danger, winning by almost two lengths from the Shamus Award filly Shameful Impulse, who just shaded Saturday’s Group 2 Wakeful Stakes winner, the Ardrossan filly De Armas.

Group 1 double

The win meant Proxima Dea becomes the first filly to complete the Group 1 double of the Spring Champion Stakes and Victoria Oaks, remaining unbeaten after six starts.

“She’s bred to stay, and from day one I said the Oaks and I stuck to it,” said Payne of the filly out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Invisible Coin. “I’m very fortunate the owners gave her to me. We have a good team behind us and it’s about time we won a decent race here.

“Maybe next year, the Melbourne Cup, who knows? We’ll have a look at it and see, why not, if she matures? We know she’ll get the trip anyway. She’s such a good mover and I think she doesn’t spend an ounce of energy.”