Set Square wins 2014 Crown Oaks Group 1 $1 Million at Flemington (VIC) 3yo Fillies, 2500m.
The lightly raced Set Square capped a rapid progression going from winning a Ballarat Maiden (1600m) at her second start on 8 October to impressively take out the VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) here at only her fourth start. She settled particularly well in fifth place on the rails, took a run between runners at the 400m, hit the lead on passing the 300m and ran the 2500m out strongly to win by a length and a half. She is a quality staying filly with quite a future.
Thunder Ladywas back in last place in the 12-horse field to the 1000m, improved wide with cover from the 900m, fanned deep rounding the home turn, challenged nearing the 200m and then fought on well a very good second.
Golconda travelled along nicely in seventh place on the rails, was shuffled back nearing the home turn but got a good run through on straightening. She challenged at the 300m, and looked a threat, before battling on for a sound third.
The outsider Hipster Girlwas near last on the rails most of the way to 600m. She was under riding from that point and kept plugging on well in the straight for fourth (3.8 lengths), putting up a very encouraging staying effort for a maiden filly.
Abduction was about tenth on the rails, switched deep on straightening and kept running on quite well to finish fifth (4.6 lengths).
The favourite Lumosty settled nicely in third place on the rails, switched between runners nearing the turn and moved up well to challenge at the 200m, looking a strong winning chance, but she wilted from there to finish sixth (4.8 lengths) looking tested by the 2500m trip.
Her stablemates Crafty (who was sixth to the 600m but battled from there to finish eighth) and Fontein Ruby (who led but did not settle in front before dropping out to finish last) also appeared tested by the distance.
