Barb Raider continued on a relentless path to the Group 1 VRC Kennedy Oaks when she made a one-act affair of Wednesday's Kennedy Oaks Preview (1800m) at Flemington.
Sent off an odd-on favourite, the daughter of the VRC Victoria Derby and SAJC South Australian Derby winner Rebel Raider erased any doubts about her staying ability when she hit the front a long way out.
Kept up to the mark under a minimum of urging by Craig Williams, the Jerome Hunter-trained filly stayed on strongly to defeat the Vancouver filly Blackcomb by two lengths with the Cable Bay (IRE) filly Tiz My Baby three-quarters of a length back in third.
A veteran of just four starts, Barb Raider was coming off a three and a half-length win at Sandown after placing at that track at her first two starts.
Hunter said it was all systems go to the Oaks.
"I was happy there was a bit of tempo. Last start was a sit and sprint, and there was still a question mark on whether she would stay or not.
"With a bit of speed on, she had a kick, and she will improve.
"We will go to 2000m (in the Ethereal Stakes in three weeks), and if she can handle that, we will go to the 2500m (of the Kennedy Oaks).
A homebred for Graebar Park's Graeme Gathercole, Barb Raider is the first foal of the winning Host (ARG) mare Graebarb, who hails from the family of the wonderful producer's Halo Again and her daughter She's Discreet.
Graebarb has a 2yo colt named Graewazi, one of four foals left by the obscure Our Wazi an unraced half-brother by Choisir to the Listed winner Belwazi.
Graebarb visited Squamosa last spring.
