Darley runner Zydeco looks set to start a short priced favourite in the Group One Oaks after an effortless victory in the Wakeful Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
Zydeco produced a powerful finishing burst over the 2000m trip in the Wakeful to defeat outsiders Maraatib and Transonic and looks certain to be suited by the extra 500m in Thursday's premier race for three-year-old fillies.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy said the strong pace in front suited his galloper and that he was happy to retain the ride in the Oaks.
"She just got back from the barrier but they ran along a bit up the back which really suited me and she got into a nice rhythm," he said.
"They steadied a bit and she grabbed the bridle a bit along the back but she quickened away.
"She stays and she has got that turn of foot which is exactly what you need to cover them up when you are giving them a start like that."
Bookmakers firmed Zydeco in from $2.90 to $2.25 to make it back-to-back triumphs in the Oaks and trainer Anthony Freedman believes the extra trip will suit.
"I think she is very good so it didn't surprise me but you still like to see it," Freedman said of the victory.
"He (McEvoy) rode her perfectly and she should enjoy the mile-and-a-half on Thursday.
"We left a little bit there to come out of today and hopefully that will happen."
Meanwhile, Christian Reith continued the excellent run for Sydney jockeys on Derby Day in the Coolmore Stud Stakes by booting home Nechita in the Group One event.
Reith settled Nechita well back in the field, before producing a late run on the rails to outlast Jolie Bay and Shamexpress and win emphatically.
"It's my first Group One win ever," a clearly ecstatic Reith said after the race.
"Her turn of foot, nothing in the three-year-old (ranks) in Australia has got her turn of foot, it's very explosive."
Nechita joins an outstanding list of horses to have won the 1200m race, with Sepoy (2011), Weekend Hussler (2007) and Alinghi (2004) all past winners of the $500,000 event.