Kermadec's Willowy Dominant in Wakeful Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday October 30

Fresh off a maiden win at Newcastle on October 12, the royally-bred Kermadec filly Willowy made a seamless transition to stakes company with a barnstorming victory in Saturday’s Group II Zed Run Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.

Willowy powers home (image Grant Courtney)

With Jye McNeil in the saddle, Willowy still had plenty to do at the 100m as the Sebring filly Daisies looked set to give James McDonald the first three races.

Willowy motored over the final 100m to defeat Daises by a half-length with the No Nay Never filly Douceur three-quarter of a length back in third.

Advertisement

“She was in a position 600 (metres) from home where I was really going to have to get to work and get her motivated,” McNeil said.

“It wasn’t until we got to the outside, swapped legs, and we saw that fantastic finish. I like her style."

Winning trained James Cummings said he is warming to starting the daughter of Kermadec in the Oaks on Thursday.

“She’s a gorgeous filly. She’s certainly coming along in leaps and bounds in a short amount of time,” Cumnmings said.

“Quite typical of the Kermadec breed. You can get a spring three-year-old, and we thought she was certainly improving rapidly enough to tackle the Wakeful.

“She looks like a very promising stayer and we look like we’re in business. 

“She’s improving rapidly and the guys have done a great job to nurse her along and have her settled in quickly in Melbourne.

“She’s nominated for the Oaks. It is an important conversation for us to have.

“That was a nice gallop for her this afternoon. She’s got the rising stayer look all over her and a very promising filly.

“We mucked around with the gear a little bit. The guys had her cherry ripe, and she’s managed to make it through with a scrape on her leg after the windy weather we’ve had in Melbourne.

“Thankfully, she’s arrived in good order and capable of putting them away.”

”The winner of the Metropolitan was by Kermadec. I think that (2500m) will be alright. She’s got a big pedigree on her dam side.”

Willowy (image Grant Courtney)

Willowy is the final foal of the treasured matron Dextrous and becomes her fourth stakes-winner.

The winner of the Group II MRC Sandown Guineas, Dextrous is the dam of Group 1 AJC Champagne Stakes winner Skilled (Commands), dual Group II winner and Golden Slipper runner-up Sidestep (Exceed And Excel), and Group II ATC Theo Marks winner Ambidexter (Commands), as well as the Group III-placed Flexible (Halloed Crown) who was fourth in the Group 1 ATC Oaks.   

It was by luck that Dextrous visited Kermadec. She was covered earlier that season by the fertility challenged The Last Lion (IRE).

Willowy becomes the second stakes-winner for Kermadec after the triple Group 1 winner Montefilia.

The son of Teofilo stands at Darley Stud for a fee of $11,000.

Advertisment

Race Result - Wakeful Stakes Gr2 2000m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 2:04.03
1
Willowy
- 3f Kermadec (NZ) x Dextrous (AUS) (Quest For Fame (GB))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Jye McNeil 55
2
0.5
Daisies
- 3f Sebring (AUS) x Tigress Lily (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
Sebring
3
1.3
Douceur
- 3f No Nay Never (USA) x Danalicious (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: M J Dee 55
4
1.7
Yearning
- 3f Snitzel (AUS) x Rising Romance (NZ) (Ekraar (USA))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Damien Thornton 58
5
2.2
Barb Raider
- 3f Rebel Raider (AUS) x Graebarb (AUS) (Host (CHI))
Tnr: Jerome Hunter Rdr: Craig Williams 55
6
2.5
Tiz My Bay
- 3f Cable Bay (IRE) x Tiz My View (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: D Yendall 55
7
3.8
Stalking
- 3f Animal Kingdom (USA) x Hold To Ransom (USA) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Fred W Kersley 55
8
4.0
El Patroness
- 3f Shamus Award (AUS) x Sure You Can (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: B Prebble 56
9
4.5
Native Girl
- 3f Tivaci (AUS) x Knocknacrea (GB) (Green Desert (USA))
Tnr: Charlotte Littlefield Rdr: L Currie 55
10
6.0
Audrey Girl
- 3f Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Dessau (GER) (Soldier Hollow (GB))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: D Moor 55
11
10.7
Kapalua Sunset
- 3f Tavistock (NZ) x Full Of Spirit (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: D Oliver 55
More Reading...
Vinery Stud Announce Adam White as Interim Manager
From the 1st of July, Vinery Stud is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam White as Interim General Manager, following the resignation of Peter Orton. A dedicated and long-standing member of the Vinery team, Adam brings a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of both the business and the industry to this pivotal role.
First Winner for Australian Derby Winner Levendi
Blueblood Pierro colt Levendi won the Group I ATC Australian Derby for the Gelagotis stable back in 2018 and is now on the board as a sire having produced his first winner on Friday.
Proisir filly Wins 3YO Winter Championship
Matamata trainers Ken and Bev Kelso sent Levakia on a big road trip on Saturday in search of reasonable track conditions, and the plan paid off with victory in the $60,000 ITM/GIB 3YO Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Ruakaka.
Kermadec's Willowy Triumphs in Dramatic Battle in Victoria Oaks
It took the length of the Flemington straight for the favourite Willowy to run down a gallant Douceur in the $1million Group 1 Kennedy Oaks (2500m), but win it she did with the daughter of Kermadec crediting Damien Oliver with a record-equalling seventh win in the race and 126th victory at the highest level.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Trial action was at Randwick on Friday and there were six heats for juveniles that included some interesting unraced youngsters highlighted by the full brother to a promising young sire, a well bred son of Farnan and an Extreme Choice filly.
Spirit of Boom Colt wins 2YO Championship Final
Tony Pike-trained juveniles Boombox and Ashoka ran their second quinella of the month in the ITM/GIB 2YO Championship Final (1200m) at Ruakaka on Saturday, with Boombox getting the better of his stablemate on both occasions.
Another Super Promising Winner for Ole Kirk
Ole Kirk is setting the pace among first season sires and added a new winner to his tally at Caulfield on Saturday with Sonofkirk producing a dazzling finish to score an eye-catching victory.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale online now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
No Fluke – How Good is Autumn Boy?
When Autumn Boy made a winning debut at 50-1 at Canterbury last month beating his high profile stablemate Central Coast, some may have wondered if there was an element of fluke about the win… there wasn’t.
Red Right Out Wins MM Queensland Qualifier
The 2026 Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping will feature the third annual Queensland Off-The-Track Cup (QOTT) final on Sunday, 11 January 2026 at Doug Jennings Park on the Gold Coast.