The Exceed And Excel filly Oz Empress is off the mark at start three after making all the running in the Racing And Sports Maiden Hcp for 2yo fillies at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Ridden by Tim Clark for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Oz Empress found plenty under pressure when looking likely to be swamped. The daughter of Exceed And Excel looked the consummate professional in defeating the fast-finishing More Than Ready (USA) filly Rapt by a long head, with the Pierro debutant California Sunrise one and a half lengths back in third.
The winner’s stablemate Azula (Maurice), did not have a lot of luck at her career debut and might be one to follow.
After finishing fifth behind Kimochi at her debut at Kensington-Randwick on March 22, Oz Empress finished third at her most recent start in an 1100m maiden at Warwick Farm, won by the impressive Lonhro filly Dipsy Doodle.
Adrian Bott said consideration would be given to a Queensland campaign.
“She deserved that. I have a nice opinion of this filly, and the formlines have been solid, so it was good to see her take the next step today,” Adrian Bott said.
‘Now we have the city win will potentially look at some options in Queensland for her. At the same time, she still has a bit of maturing to do so and will be better next campaign when she puts it all together.
“That was a tough win today, and Tim wanted to take advantage of her race experience and fitness. She was out on her feet late but did enough.”
A homebred for Tony Bott’s Evergreen Rich, Oz Empress is a sister to Group III-placed winner Key who sold at last year’s National Broodmare Sale for $1,100,000 when carrying a Frankel (GB) colt.
Oz Empress is the fourth winner from as many to race for the Randwick winner Vanilla Princess.
A daughter of Lonhro and Princess Coup, Vanilla Princess is a half-sister to the dual Group III winning Frankel filly Argentia and the talented Redoute’s Choice sprinter Thewizardofoz (Redoute’s Choice), a Group III winner in Hong Kong.
The 4-time Group 1 winner and $3.8 million earner Princess Coup (Encosta de Lago) was a $3,000,000 purchase for e Thoroughbreds at the 2009 National Broodmare Sale.
Rosana Thanos shelled out $50,000 for an American Pharoah colt from Vanilla Princess consigned by Evergreen Stud Farm at the 2023 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
After foaling a Farnan filly last spring, Vanilla Princess was covered by Snitzel.
Oz Empress is the tenth individual 2yo winner for Darley Stud’s Exceed And Excel, who trails only Snitzel in the race to Champion 2yo Sire on earnings.
