ROBERT Smerdon's assault on the Victoria Oaks has strengthened with Lumosty increasing her claim for a major say in the classic.
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Lumosty ($1.70 favourite) confirmed her status as one of the leading hopes for the group 1 $1m Oaks, 2500m, at Flemington on Thursday, November 6, with a commanding win at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
She scored by more than two lengths over Tahni Dancer ($4.40), with Berimbau ($16) third in the group 2 $200,000 Drummond Golf Fillies Classic, 1600m.
Lumosty completed the perfect day for Smerdon, who had just the two starters for two wins.
"That's it for me, I'm off home now," Smerdon said after Lumosty returned to the scales.
Smerdon also won the opening race, the $250,000 Inglis 2yo Banner, 1000m, with highly impressive debutante Fontiton ($3 favourite).
Smerdon said he would likely take Lumosty straight to the Oaks - bypassing the Wakeful Stakes, 2000m.
"If she does go to the Oaks she will likely go straight there," Smerdon said.
"I wouldn't want to give her three runs in 12 days as it wouldn't be fair to her.
"I'll have a talk to Nick Hall, not only is he a good jockey but he's a good judge as well."
Lumosty firmed from $10 to $4.60 for the Oaks betting.
She joins stables Fontein Ruby and Crafty, which ran one-two in the group 3 Caulfield Classic, 2000m, a week earlier, as main prospects for the Oaks.
Foniton could not have been more impressive in saluting by six lengths.
She did enough to already have her Caulfield/Ballarat trainer talking her up as a possible Thousand Guineas prospect next spring.
"That was pretty awesome.
"We really think she will stretch out to 1600 metres.
"I know everyone says they'll be better next time, but I'd like to think that in 12 months she could be a Thousand Guineas horse," Smerdon said.
Smerdon said the daughter of Turffontein might go to the Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington in Cup week.
"We could go there to get some black type which will guarantee her value, then we can turn her out for some of the better races in the autumn," he said.