Oaks Target For Ambience After Wakeful Win

Ambience struck early and strongly for Godolphin on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington, winning the G2, 2000m, Wakeful Stakes on Saturday, October 31.

Assisted by a copybook ride, Ambience (John O'Shea/James McDonald) trailed the leaders until the home straight where McDonald eased her into the clear and the filly accelerated brilliantly.

The daughter of Street Cry put the result beyond doubt in a couple of strides, maintaining a strong gallop to the line.

Ambience's performance may have earned her a start in next Thursday's G1, 2500m VRC Oaks, with O'Shea favouring a start in the fillies' classic.

"I'm leaning towards running her, but we won't rush the decision," O'Shea said.

"I'll see how she is and have a talk to the team and we'll decide in a day or so.

"Her mother was quite stout and she's by Street Cry, so she shouldn't have any trouble with the extra distance in the Oaks."

Ambience had been in winning form in Sydney before her previous run when third in G3 company at Caulfield.

But O'Shea said she had gained a lot of experience from that outing, and she put it to good use on Saturday.

"Things didn't go right for her at Caulfield two weeks ago, but she'd given indications at home that she'd settled in nicely and got on her right leg out there today," O'Shea said.

"She found the rail and that helped her a lot.

"There were a few hair raising moments at the turn, but once she got out and came off their back she ran a strong 2000m."

After getting the better of the leaders with 300m to run, Ambience powered away, winning by three-and-a-half lengths from Beluga Blue with a half-length to Muzyka in third place.

McDonald agreed with the trainer, reporting that the Oaks should present no problems to Ambience.

"She relaxes so well, it's one of her greatest assets," McDonald said.

"And she's also got fantastic acceleration. I don't think she'll have any trouble with another 500m."