Auckland filly Ma Victoire will start one of the favourites in the $245,000 New Zealand Oaks at Trentham tomorrow but history suggests she has the odds stacked against her.
Ma Victoire will be following in the footsteps of 25 fillies who have attempted to win the oaks after running in the New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
Just two fillies - Candide (1988) and Zephyrin (1984) - have managed to win the oaks in such circumstances but the trail of beaten favourites reads far longer.
Those to have started favourite in the oaks, but unable to win, after being placed in the derby are Hill Of Grace, Nahayan, Clear Rose, Cure, Our Flight, Avana and Rosie's Girl.
Star Of Mercury, Glamour Star, Jandall and Tinryland Lass are other derby placegetters who have found the oaks beyond them.
It is also interesting to note that the two fillies that won the oaks - Candide and Zephyrin - did so under different circumstances with the oaks now held on the first day of the Wellington carnival.
On both occasions the oaks had been held on the last day of the carnival and they had the benefit of a run in the Wellington Stakes (1600m) on the first day.
Ma Victoire, like most of her predecessors, goes into the oaks without a run since the derby.
The Prince Ferdinand filly showed her staying prowess with solid seconds to Lord Romar and Hail respectively over 2000m at Ellerslie before her game third behind Hail and Sir Clive in the New Zealand Derby on Boxing Day.
Trainer Trevor McKee said Ma Victoire had done well since the derby and he's not concerned about past events.
"Records are made to be broken - it's just another challenge," he said.
"If the two colts [that beat her in the derby] were in the field, they would be expected to be the ones to beat.
"She's worked very well this week and everything is as good as gold."
The McKees will also start the Kenfair filly Tangara in the oaks. She finished fourth in the group two $50,000 Royal Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on January 2 in her first start over ground.
"The [wet] track didn't suit her but she still went a good race."
Pressed to choose, McKee said he favoured Ma Victoire slightly.
- NZPA
Racing: McKee confident even against history books
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