Oaks on the agenda for Red Velvet Swing

An encouraging second to Victoria Derby candidate Anaheim over 2040m at Benalla on Monday, has convinced trainer Danny O'Brien to head to the VRC Oaks with Red Velvet Swing.

The three-year-old put in the impressive performance at her second start at 2000m, after running credibly in the Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield at Group 3 level in her previous start.

"It's going to be a huge jump in class and Yankee Rose looks almost unbeatable following her placing in the Cox Plate, but our filly has the grounding and we are confident she will run the 2500m right out," O'Brien said.

Bred and raced by O'Brien in partnership with Widden Stud (whose Orange & Purple Cap colours she wears in races), the Star Witness filly is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Stratum Star and full-sister to multiple black-type placed Serenade.

"Just running a place in such a prestigious three-year-old event would make her a very valuable filly from a broodmare point of view," he said.

"If she gets a start I would be confident that she will put in a good account of herself on her home track."

Pic by Racing Photos