Cambridge filly joins Oaks party

‘‘She didn’t have a lot of luck from a wide gate and got further back then we had hoped, but she closed off well.’’

Tony Pike

She’s A Treasure will add further quality to the New Zealand assault on this weekend’s A$1 million Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick.

Trainer Tony Pike took enough out of her Australian debut to confirm her in the classic alongside Savvy Coup, Danzdanzdance and Contessa Vanessa.

She’s A Treasure finished sixth in the Gr.3 Adrian Knox Stakes

(2000m) last Saturday in her first start since a luckless unplaced run in the Gr.3 Lowland Stakes

(2100m). A foot abscess then ruled her out of the Gr 1. New Zealand Oaks (2400m).

‘‘She was very fresh, it was her first run for five weeks and she raced a bit keenly and she’s definitely improved,’’ Pike said.

‘‘Her sectionals out of the race were very, very good.

‘‘She didn’t have a lot of luck from a wide gate and got further back then we had hoped, but she closed off well. Obviously, the Oaks will be a stronger race and hopefully she can get a better draw – we know she’ll see out the mile and a-half.’’

Damian Lane partnered the Mastercraftsman three-year-old, who races as Treasure at home, in the Adrian Knox and he will retain the Oaks ride.

Meanwhile, Pike has a strong hand to play in Wednesday’s New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Pearl Series Race (1150m) at the Te Awamutu meeting with Sacredvista, Ujjayyi and Walkin’ By. ‘‘Sacredvista is starting to put it all together now, she’s been a bit soft at the end of her races but she was strong on the line the other day,’’ he said.

‘‘Walkin’ By is going well, although from her draw she may find 1150m around Waipa a bit tough.’’