Racing: Lowland Stakes provides perfect prelude to New Zealand Oaks

As the last major lead-up event before the great fillies' classic itself, the group three Lowland Stakes over 2100m is arguably the best guide to what might happen in the New Zealand Oaks, two weeks later.

Often this one race at Hastings today is the moment of truth for those lucky enough to be associated with a promising filly - is their Oaks dream realistic, or is it just a bit beyond them?

That and so many other Oaks questions are answered in the Lowland, as fillies' class and stamina are put to the test.

Three Lowland winners in the past 10 years have gone on to win the Oaks, including Midnight Oil last year, and 2010 Lowland runner-up Keep The Peace went one better in the Wellington classic.

The Lowland is often won by a late-developing star filly who announces her arrival at elite level with an outstanding performance here before doing the same thing in the Oaks at Trentham.

One that might fit that bill this year is Quintessential. The Fast'n'Famous filly hasn't put a foot wrong all season, but she's only now getting the recognition and respect she deserves. She rose quietly through the grades early in the season before bursting to prominence with a lightning finish to win the Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham.

She proved that was no fluke with a strong third in the Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic at Te Rapa. Her Oaks odds are shrinking every time she steps on to a track, and another big performance here may take her close to outright favouritism.

Capital Diamond is overdue a winning turn. The Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan-owned filly has finished third in the 1000 Guineas, third in the Eulogy Stakes, second in the Desert Gold Stakes and second in the Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic.

All those runs were highly meritorious, and no one could possibly begrudge her victory here as she, too, builds towards the Trentham feature.

One filly straying from the traditional Lowland-Oaks path is the outstanding Planet Rock. The 1000 Guineas winner will line up as one of the leading Lowland contenders, but there are no plans for her to contest the Oaks.

The Lowland itself is the immediate target, and possibly the main reason for that is the Filly of the Year series points that are up for grabs in this race.

Planet Rock was sublime through November and December. She looked the best filly of her generation, and she looked like the perfect thoroughbred. She had no obvious flaws. But since then one has come to the surface - distance.

Her two attempts at 2000m have resulted in fourth placings in which she peaked on her run and lost ground in the last 100m. It looks a bridge too far, and so the 2400m of the Oaks is no longer on the agenda.

But the Filly of the Year award carries so much value and prestige.