Jamie
Walter's Proven Thoroughbreds celebrated stakes success at Doomben on Saturday
when talented Sebring filly Candika scored a resounding victory in the Listed
BRC Princess Stakes.
The Steven O'Dea trained filly had won two of her three previous runs and was
fit and ready for this 1600 metre assignment for three year-old fillies.
Sent to the post favourite, she gave punters no cause for concern as she
motored to the line for Damian Browne to win by more than three lengths.
With five wins and four placings from 15 starts, Candika has already won over
$430,000 in prizemoney and looks well placed in the upcoming fillies Black Type
races leading towards the Group I BRC Queensland Oaks on June 10.
The Oaks trip of 2400 metres may be an issue, but Steven O'Dea said it was good
to see that Candika was now settling in her races.
"It was only a few runs back she wanted to over-race in 1500-metre
race," O'Dea said.
"But the way she went today means we will press on to races over a bit
further."
O'Dea said should Candika indicate she wouldn't stay she could come back to the
shorter races in the winter like the Group II BRC Queensland Guineas over 1600
metres.
A $100,000 Magic Millions purchase for Proven Thoroughbreds from the Kia Ora
Stud draft, Candika is the first winner for Danzero mare Divya, a three-quarter
sister to Group II winner Astrodame and grand-daughter of Blue Diamond winner
Midnight Fever.
Divya has a weanling filly by Deep Field and will produce a three-quarter
sibling to Candika this spring as she is in foal to Sebring's champion son
Dissident.
Candika is the 27th stakes-winner for Sebring and comes with a double cross of
Danehill and also the Golden Slipper winner Luskin Star.