Fillies impress in Moonee Valley wins

Cassadee and Beau Mertens power away to win at Moonee Valley on Sunday, Picture: Racing Photos.

Impressive wins to Cassadee and Montoya’s Secret at Moonee Valley have put them in contention for Group One races for fillies in the coming weeks.

The Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on April 8 is the aim for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Cassadee via the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill after she stamped her staying credentials with a win against mares on Monday.

Cassadee handled the jump from a midweek Sandown win over 1600m to the 2040m of Monday’s City Jeep Grand Cherokee Handicap with ease.

After a slightly awkward getaway, Cassadee ($1.95 fav) took up the lead and controlled the race before skipping a few lengths clear around the home turn.

She had 2-3/4 lengths to spare over Typhoon Monaco with Poppiholla another two lengths third.

“We’ve always thought a lot of this filly, particularly being able to get out to this sort of trip,” Bott said.

“She’s bred to get over it and she raced accordingly today.

“We’ve got her nominated for the Oaks so we’ll take her back to Sydney now.

“The Vinery Stud Stakes would be the preferred option into the Oaks.”

The Leon and Troy Corstens-trained Montoya’s Secret could also head to the same Group One races after her 4-1/2 length win as the $2.10 favourite in the Jeep City Hawk Handicap, a 1600m benchmark race for fillies.

Steven Arnold admitted it “wasn’t pretty” with the jockey deciding to let her roll forward to the lead after being three-wide for much of the first half of the race.

Montoya’s Secret showed her class edge over her rivals and kicked well clear before the home turn.

“She’s a nice stayer,” Arnold said.

Leon Corstens was impressed and said Montoya’s Secret might also go to the Vinery next but he would discuss options with connections.

“I think she definitely needs a bit further and I think she’ll be better held up and on a bigger track,” Corstens said.

“I was very impressed.”

Wins at the meeting to the promising Handsome Thief and seven-year-old It’s A Silvertrail have taken premier Victorian trainer Darren Weir’s season tally in Melbourne to 99.

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