Abbey Marie wins 2016 Schweppes Oaks Group 1 $400,000 at Morphettville (SA) 3yoFillies, 2000m.
Abbey Marie remains unbeaten after three starts, making the rapid progression from winning a Maiden Plate (1300m) at Sandown Lakeside on 23 March to taking this Group One race. She settled in eighth place on the rails from her good barrier (2), improved between runners nearing the home turn, pushed out into clear running at the 200m and finished too well for a very smart win.
Favourite Silent Sedition was seventh, between runners, was blocked on straightening before going to the rails at the 100m. She briefly hit the front but could not hold off the late closing winner to take a very sound second.
C'est Beau La Vie was a handy fourth most of the way to the home turn. She moved up well on straightening, took the lead at the 200m and then battled on well for third.
Sacred Eye was back in 11th place, got into clear running at the 300m and kept fighting on nicely for (1.8 lengths) fourth while Arcadia Dream was back towards the tail of the field, went deep from the 300m and ran on particularly well for (2.4 lengths) fifth after being disadvantaged by a moderate early tempo.
