Too Darn Discreet ($3.80) has claimed back-to-back Group races following her tough win in the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, which has come subsequent to her win in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington.
The Dan O’Sullivan-trained filly has continued her upward spiral this preparation, with a shot at the VRC Oaks set to be her next target at Flemington on November 7.
Jumping as the drifting market elect, the daughter of Too Darn Hot settled behind the leaders, Killcare Beachgirl ($4.20) and My Phar Lady ($71), before pulling out three-wide at the 500m mark to make her run.
Although Michael Dee gave his filly a tough task, having to sustain a wide run around the home turn, she gave a strong kick and held a margin all the way to the line over Jenni’s Meadow ($9.50) on her outside and Femminile ($7) to the inside to claim a tough win.
2024 Ethereal Stakes replay – Too Darn Discreet
Dan O’Sullivan was very happy with the victory, and he spoke post-race.
“A good tough win. She travels into the race like she’s going to put them away, and then she wants to lug in and do a few things wrong. So there should be more to offer,” O’Sullivan said.
“I’ll speak to Michael about it (gear change).
“I think it’s going to be pretty handy, he’s just ridden the other 2000-metre three-year-old winner too so whether she wants a one-eye blinker on or just a little change in a bit or something like that but I’ll have a chat to Michael.
“She’s terribly well-bred. She always had a fair bit of attitude.
“But whenever we asked her to do a bit of track work, she’s always gone up with it.
“Certainly considering the Oaks, especially the way she is, as tough as what she is, the Wakeful has proved over the years to be the form race that you need to run in to get to the Oaks.
“So this run will probably take a bit out of her, so we’ll see how she recovers.
“We’ll enjoy the moment today first, and think about what we’ll do going ahead.”
Michael Dee brought a race-to-race double at Caulfield with the Ethereal Stakes win.
“I think there definitely was a lot left,” Dee said.
“Unfortunately, we were left in front a long way from home, and she was going extremely good coming around the corner, and then I don’t know, she just really wanted to get to the rail and I definitely don’t want to be on the rail.
“I think when I persuaded her to keep going, she was tough. She can run out of strong race and keep going, albeit doing a few things wrong.
“I don’t see why not. She probably definitely wants the extra distance but she’s still doing a couple of things wrong, she can travel quite keenly.
“I think if the Oaks was run at a good genuine tempo, she’ll relax and she’s definitely got the stamina to keep going.”
Too Darn Discreet is now a $5 second favourite with horse racing bookmakers in the Group 1 VRC Oaks futures markets.
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