Anthony Cummings has Australian Oaks ambitions for lightly-raced filly She Goes To Rio, an impressive winner of Sunday’s Listed Canberra Guineas.
After settling just in behind the speed on the rail from barrier one, She Goes To Rio ($4.60) sprinted quickly when a run appeared inside the final 200m to defeat favourite Detours ($3.50 fav) by three-quarters of a length with a half length to Aberrant ($26) in third.
The Canberra Guineas was over 1400 metres but her trainer believes She Goes To Rio will continue to excel as the distances get longer heading towards the Group One Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick next month.
“She’s doing all the right things and just starting the fulfil the promise she showed in her first preparation,” Cummings said.
Cummings has a few options for She Goes To Rio’s next start but was favouring the Keith Nolan Classic (1600m) at Kembla over the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) or Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill.
From there the three-year-old has Group One targets in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and Australian Oaks (2400m).
“In all likelihood her next start will be in the Keith Nolan,” Cummings said.
“She’s a very progressive filly and if I get what I expected when I first saw her she’ll turn up on Oaks day and be hard to beat.”
Peter Robl is unbeaten on She Goes To Rio in two rides and is hoping to continue the association through the autumn.
“She was very impressive and she’s a very, very good filly,” the jockey said.
“The only time she has been beaten (in five starts) was first-up on a heavy track. I’m very keen to stick with her, she can go to the next level and continue to perform well.”
AAP TURF
