By Michael Guerin
New Zealand's best pacing fillies blast into the unknown at Alexandra Park tonight.
The likes of Classy Filly, Smooth Talking Doll and Stylish Sweetheart have all met enough times of sprint distances to know what to expect from each other.
But tonight's $60,000 Pascoes Great Northern Oaks starts the classic campaign for the fillies and the form becomes a lot harder to line up over 2700m mobile.
None of the favourites for tonight's race have raced past 2400m and with the Oaks traditionally run at a hectic pace there will be some very tired little ladies at the end of tonight's feature.
While the extra distance would appear to suit Stylish Sweetheart after her brave staying efforts so far this season, the race is often won by a sit and sprinter coming with the last run.
And Smooth Talking Doll and Classy Filly fit that criteria perfectly.
Smooth Talking Doll has been marginally more impressive during the pair's northern campaign this summer and her driver James Stormont is confident she can stay the 2700m.
"She has gone her best races up here and she has been finding the line very well," said Stormont.
"It is an even field and our draw won't help but I know she can match most of these fillies for speed."
Trainer Cran Dalgety is equally as happy with Classy Filly, who took longer to come to hand than expected this season and is further improved by her last start win.
Both fillies will need luck from their draws, as will Stylish Sweetheart, who will need to use plenty of petrol from the outside of the front line if she is to reach her favoured pacemaking role.
Another unknown factor in the Oaks is OK Rock, who comes north with a big reputation after some easy wins in fast time down south.
Trainer John Lischner is happy with the way his filly has travelled and worked but admits she too will be better suited with a sit off the pace.
"She is as good as filly as I have had but she has a lot to learn and this will be a big test for her," said Lischner.
While the Oaks is an intriguing puzzle, the bet of the night should come earlier when leading junior driver Mark Jones takes the reins behind the classy Copenhagen in race three.
Horse Racing: Classy fillies headed for unknown
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