The removal of blinkers was a key part of Pinot's emergence as a VRC Oaks contender at Flemington on Wednesday.
Pinot raced in the blinkers when second to Anchor Bid but jockey Stephen Baster said he suggested their removal for her rematch with her Bendigo conqueror in the Kennedy Oaks Trial (1800m).
Co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott made the chance for the daughter or Pierro's first run over 1800m and Pinot did the rest, dashing away to score by 3 ¾ lengths after firming from $10 to $5.50.
Baster said his ride on Pinot, a daughter of the 2005 AJC Australian Oaks winner Dizelle, wasn't perfect but the filly impressed him with her acceleration once she got clear in the straight.
"I zigged when I should have zagged but when she got the run and she really launched to the line so I think she's a really nice filly," Baster said.
Tulloch Lodge's Melbourne foreman Roger Elliott said the stable was optimistic of a good showing in the $50,000 contest.
"We were pretty confident. She is going really well," Elliott said.
"She just raced a little keen the other day with the blinkers on and she relaxed really well today and it was a good ride by Steve.
"She just got held up a little bit on the corner and then when she finally got clear, she went away."
Elliott said Waterhouse would determine Pinot's next assignment when she inspects the promising stayer on Sunday.
The Anthony Freedman-trained Think Diamonds ($11) ran on honestly to finish second ahead of Sweet Mischief ($26).
The Darren Weir-trained Anchor Bid eased from $1.85 to $2.15 but could only manage sixth, five lengths from the winner.
"She had a nice run. She came out to win and didn't," Anchor Bid's jockey Mark Zahra said.
Sportsbet installed Pinot as a $6 favourite in its revised VRC Oaks market after her win.
Pinot takes out the Kennedy Oaks Trial in emphatic fashion. Can she emulate her mother's deeds in the Oaks? #RacingLivepic.twitter.com/z94qyLJLzN
— Racing.com (@Racing) September 27, 2017
