Deceased stallion Blackfriars has a live chance for the WA Oaks with the consistent filly Friar Fox a hugely impressive winner of Saturday's Listed Natasha Stakes (2200m) at Ascot.
It was the first stakes win for the Justine Erkelens-trained filly who was coming off a luckless second to Like A Butterfly in the Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m) a fortnight back.
Given the run of the race by Shaun O'Donnell, Friar Fox came clear in the final stages to defeat Modern News (Savabeel) by two and three-quarter lengths with Like A Butterfly (Blackfriars) a half-length back in third.
"What a great run," Erkelens told the West Australian.
"I think she's just learning as well, so it's just great that she keeps stepping up.
"We'll just see how she pulls up tomorrow and see if we can get there."
Purchased by her trainer and part-owner for $14,000 out of the Scenic Lodge draft the 2016 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, Friar Fox (pictured as a yearling) advances her record to 4 wins, 1 second and 1 third from 7 starts with earnings of $189,485.
A sister to the 3-time winner Friaresque, Friar Fox is the second foal of the handy racemare Pearlesque (Statoblest) who won two and placed in 11 of her 23 starts in the west and is a sister to the 3-time Listed stakes-winner Impressive Stats.
This is the family of the top-class Delzao.
Pearlesque has a 2yo filly by Blackfriars named Ocean Candy and a yearling colt by Universal Ruler.
After missing to Snippetson in 2016, Pearlesque was covered by Blackfriars last spring, just three months before the West Australian stalwart passed away in December.
Friar Fox becomes the 38th stakes-winner for the son of Danehill.
