Successful last time out in the Listed Princess Stakes when becoming the 30th stakes winner for her sire All Too Hard, the David Vandyke trained Philia went four from four this time in, leading through to win the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben.
Going forward from barrier ten to take up the running as the field passed the winning post for the first time, jockey Kerrin McEvoy knew the capabilities of Philia, having ridden her last time out when a two length winner over Pinito (Trapeze Artist), with the runner-up going on to win the Listed Bracelet (1800m) at the Gold Coast at her next start franking the form.
With last start Group 1 Australasian Oaks winner Benagil (Manhattan Rain) starting the narrow favourite just ahead of Philia, the favourite settled back in the field with just four runners behind her.
Maintaining a solid tempo throughout, McEvoy started to urge Philia along just before the final bend where she responded under pressure, fighting off all challengers to win by just over a half length margin from Jenni’s Meadow (Brutal) and Movin Out (Staphanos) who both came from towards the tail, recording efforts that would have connections very pleased as they likely head towards the Group 1 Queensland Oaks.
With his eyes firmly on the Oaks, David Vandyke was effusive in his praise for Philia post-race.
“I knew she was 100% going into today. The 2000m was the question mark,” stated Vandyke.
“Kerrin made it a staying test, and he was taken on two or three times, and he didn't care. He just wanted to hold the front. I saw her going past the post the first time he had her off the bit. He was letting her roll.”
“She had to sort of sprint a few times during the race and yet she still had the audacity there to kick at the top of the straight and hold off the late charge.”
“So moving forward into the Oaks, when she's got that amazing racing pattern where she can just get taken on, absorb pressure, she loves it, and that was a month between runs so now I've got that nice two weeks - bring on the Oaks.”
“She's a half-sister to Duais, who’s a multiple Group 1 winner and Baccarat Baby, who has won at group level, and she goes right back to one of the best families in the world. So, it's just an impeccable pedigree and, of course, All Too Hard - I love the stallion, and she's just full of guts and wants to do it.”
McEvoy’s confidence grew after an early morning message from Vandyke.
“Dave's had a big opinion of her, and I was really quite taken and interested in his words prior to the Roses and afterwards. His text this morning was that she's improved again, so it gave me good confidence coming into today,” stated McEvoy.
“She was more relaxed in herself today and that's pleasing when you're going out on a trip.”
“But she was doing it in herself, which was positive, and just wanted to kick off the corner, which is what she did. She had a little bit of a stargaze actually turning in.”'
A half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Duais (Shamus Award) and a three-quarter sister to the Group 3 winner Baccarat Baby (Casino Prince), the valuable broodmare commodity Philia is third stakes winner from five runners out of the winning Johannesburg mare Meerlust, who is due to foal to Widden Stud's Trapeze Artist in the upcoming breeding season.
Bred and raced in partnership by Irwin Family Racing Trust and Harris Family Racing, Philia will be aiming to become the sixth individual Group 1 winner for her sire when she lines up in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) on June 7.
Vinery Stud’s All Too Hard who will stand this upcoming season at a fee of $27,500 (inc. GST) and is currently ninth on the Australian Leading Sires table headline by this season’s Group 1 Doncaster Mile heroine Stefi Magnetica.
