New Zealand-bred filly Renaissance Woman burst into contention for next month’s Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) with an outstanding come-from-behind victory in Saturday’s Listed Aquis Stallions Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) on the Sunshine Coast.
This was the first race outside Group company this season for Renaissance Woman, who began her three-year-old campaign with a couple of eye-catching efforts for sixth in the Gr.2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) and seventh in the Gr.1 Flight Stakes (1600m).
The Bjorn Baker-trained filly then rose to prominence with an impressive victory in the Gr.3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield, before rounding out her spring campaign with two shots at Group One level – finishing sixth in the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and ninth in the VRC Oaks (2500m).
Renaissance Woman returned from a summer spell with a sixth in the Gr.3 James H.B. Carr Stakes (1400m) in Sydney last month, and the step up to 1800m for Saturday’s three-year-old fillies’ feature brought her right back into the black-type frame.
Ridden by Josh Parr, Renaissance Woman came from second-last and launched a withering run down the outside to snatch a narrow but highly impressive win.
“I’m really pleased with how that turned out,” Parr said. “She’s such a talented filly, and when they’re taking you into the race like that, you can go wherever you damn well please.
“She came up underneath me really well, and we were in a good position. The pace was muddling, but I was still so confident with her.
“I can’t wait until she reaches her full potential, because I don’t think we’ve seen it just yet. So there are exciting things to come with her.
“It was masterful by Bjorn to give her an extended break before bringing her up here. It was the perfect training performance.”
Baker is now expected to point Renaissance Woman towards the Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm on June 3.
Renaissance Woman was offered by Westbury Stud in Book 1 of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale in 2020 and was knocked down for $250,000. The ticket was signed by Brian Nutt’s Attunga Stud, and the filly is raced by his brother-in-law Geoff Walsh.
Renaissance Woman is out of the Fastnet Rock mare Mrs Kennedy, who is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) winner Mrs Onassis and the Gr.3 How Now Stakes (1200m) winner Miss Judgment, dam of Group Two winner Passive Aggressive and multiple Group One placegetter Missrock.