Group 1 trainer Phillip Stokes eyes VRC Oaks heist with Femminile

The Dundeel filly has gone largely unnoticed in the lead-up to the 2500m feature but Stokes could not be any happier, bar the sticky barrier 13.

A splash of rain, as forecast, would not “only increase our chances”.

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Femminile has eased $14 to $19 with Ladbrokes with sustained support for emphatic Group 2 Wakeful Stakes winner Treasurethe Moment, a $3.70 to $3.20 favourite.

Femminile placed third, less than a length behind Too Darn Discreet, an $8 chance in the Oaks, last start in the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m).

“We’ve set her for that race,” seven-time Group 1 winner Stokes said.

“I haven’t won a VRC Oaks, I’ve won a few of them in Adelaide and got a good handle on it.

“She’s got a sticky barrier but all things being equal I reckon she’s going to be right in it.”

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Stokes won Australasian Oaks with Marju Snip (2006) and Maybe Discreet (2013).

Maybe Discreet produced Too Darn Discreet coincidently.

Femminile has improved markedly with each run this campaign.

“Even though I think she only beat one home in her first run (Listed Jim Moloney Stakes) I said (to the owners) don’t worry, this is where we’re going to go,” Stokes said.

Femminlile finished midfield in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) against the boys and then placed third in the Ethereal last month.

Stokes planned to go Ethereal into the Oaks, happy to bypass the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes.

“She’s very clean-winded and I didn’t see any sense in running in the Wakeful,” Stokes said.

“I don’t think it (2500m) will be a problem.”

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The Wakeful winner or runner-up has won five of the past six VRC Oaks.

Spring Champion-placed She’s Extreme (2022) is the exception in recent years.

Arapaho Miss (2007) is the last filly to place in the Ethereal and win the Oaks.

Set Square (2014) and Pinot (2017) completed the Ethereal-Oaks double.

Stokes has Group 1-placed Stretan Angel in the Champions Sprint (1200m) on Saturday at Flemington.

“She’s going very well but it’s a very good race,” Stokes said.

“She loves the straight, which will help.”

Group 1-winner Climbing Star was among the early nominations but Stokes has elected to target the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) in a fortnight at Caulfield.

“It won’t be soft but I think it will be softer (option) than the Champions Sprint.”

Originally published as Group 1 trainer Phillip Stokes eyes VRC Oaks heist with Femminile