KEY POINTS:
The American Oaks is a race that could lure the likes of Kaatoon, dashing winner of the $150,000 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic at Te Rapa on Saturday.
The international group one event is a relatively new race.
New Zealand filly Boulevardofdreams finished seventh with little luck four years ago and last year the David Hayes-trained Anamato finished a close third.
Both of those performances clearly indicate our leading fillies are capable of winning the Hollywood Park race, which is run at 2000m on turf under invitational conditions.
Hollywood Park management is about to release details of the 2008 running.
The American Oaks has been run for a stake of close to one million New Zealand dollars, but the broodmare value for winning would be worth considerably more.
"Yes, it would be worth millions to have that race on the pedigree page," said leading breeder Sir Patrick Hogan, sponsor of yesterday's race.
Sir Patrick's own filly Lovetrista is not a possibility - she is still recovering from the moderate back injuries she suffered when placing in the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton in November.
Trainer Roger James has previously eyed the American Oaks.
"I wanted to take Gaze up for the race, but the owners weren't that keen and a couple of my owners looked to buy The Jewel to take up for it."
But James is conservative in the extreme and will be taking one gentle step forward at a time with Kaatoon for owners Peter Walker and Ron Dixon.
The first important step is the $400,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Oaks at Trentham.
After Saturday she is understandably the Oaks favourite, the TAB offering $3.
Rider Gavin McKeon was his usual confident self afterwards.
"Tell me a horse that can beat her in the Oaks and I won't believe you."
Given she has had only six race starts, Kaatoon should be up for further improvement.
James rates her highly, but fell short of saying he hadn't trained a better filly.
"I don't like building them up too much until they've done it because of creating high expectations."
Insouciant set up a hectic pace and was hugely brave in fighting hard for second, despite being headed by the winner 320m out.
The run yet again impressed Michael Walker.
"She's so game," said Walker.
"I'm not saying she's as good as Sunline, but she races the same way as Sunline - she can break their hearts."
Insouciant hit the running rail twice in the home straight.
"I don't normally wear gloves," said Walker, "and I found I didn't have a lot of feeling in my hands.
"When I tried to get everything organised halfway down the straight things got tangled and that's when she hit the rail."
Equally brave was third-placed Pretty Vegas, who grabbed Exquisite in the last stride.
"She's so gutsy," said rider Vinny Colgan.
Lanbrae, Calatrava and Tief were next home.
Keepa Cruisin paid the penalty for drawing wide at the tricky 2000m barrier, finishing 13th nearly six lengths from the winner.
Trainer Stephen McKee said he will put the filly in the paddock for a few weeks to see if she freshens up well enough to look at the group one Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha.
"If not she can go out until next season.
"She'll make a good 1400m and 1600m horse as a 4-year-old."
Keepa Cruisin's rider Leith Innes was suspended for eight race days and fined $500 for causing interference with a round to travel.
Thomas Russell was suspended for 11 race days and fined $900 for causing two cases of interference on Calatrava.
