Derby option on the table for Miss Waititi

A potential tilt at the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) is on the cards for promising filly Miss Waititi (NZ) (Circus Maximus), with her performance in Saturday's Gr.3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield set to determine her spring programme.

Prepared by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Miss Waititi has emerged as a staying prospect following her victory in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on October 3, where she handled Heavy 10 conditions to score at just her third raceday appearance.

While the Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m) remains an obvious target, Price has not ruled out taking on the colts and geldings in the Victoria Derby at Flemington on October 31.

"We have a small thought of running her in this year's Victoria Derby," Price said.

"Fillies don't do it much, but does it matter, because you can go Ethereal and then two weeks to the Derby, otherwise, we go to the Wakeful (Stakes, same day as the Derby) and then back up into the Oaks.

"It is only a thought at this stage, so it will all be determined after what she does on Saturday."

A Derby appearance would see Miss Waititi attempt to end a lengthy drought for fillies in the staying feature.

Only 13 fillies have won the Victoria Derby since its inception in 1855, with Frances Tressady (Tressady) the most recent in 1923. Born To Be Queen (NZ) (In The Purple) was the last filly to place in 1985, while no filly has contested the race this century.

Price said the Oaks had initially emerged as a possible target following discussions with part-owner Tim Porter, prompting the decision to step Miss Waititi up in distance at Flemington.

"I had a chat to Tim Porter about her, and he said is there any possibility of her being a VRC Oaks filly," Price said.

"If she was to be an Oaks filly, then this is what we had to do with her.

"She could not have won the Edward Manifold on that day (at Flemington), so we went to the 1800-metre and she won.

"It was Listed so she's got that status, and now we know what she can do."

With just three starts behind her, Miss Waititi remains relatively inexperienced, but her latest performance has given Price confidence she could develop into a genuine staying contender.

Saturday's Ethereal Stakes will provide another important test as the stable weighs up whether to tackle the Derby or follow the more traditional path through the Gr.2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) into the Oaks on November 5.

"I know it was a lesser race, but what will be in the VRC Oaks and even the Derby.

"We'll get to know more on Saturday."