Star stablemates set to dominate

STAR stablemates Ladies In Red and Tough Tilly are expected to have little trouble dominating Saturday night’s Victoria Oaks heats in Bendigo.

Although drawn the inside of the second row, Tough Tilly is a $2.20 favourite in the opening qualifier.

Successful in the Australian Pacing Gold Final in May before being sent for a spell, Tough Tilly was runner-up behind Ladies In Red upon her return a fortnight ago.

Pleased with the three-year-old’s performance, trainer Emma Stewart declared Tough Tilly will be “a major improver” this weekend.

“I was more than happy with her run in Ballarat,” Stewart said. “She was first-up from a descent break and in need of the run.

“Her training has picked up a notch and she will be a major improver in the heats.”

Winner of her two starts for the season – taking her record to 11 wins and a second from 12 outings – Ladies In Red has drawn gate five in the second heat.

The daughter of Mach Three slots into four with the removal of the emergency.

Ladies In Red’s only defeat was behind Tough Tilly in last season’s Vicbred Super Series Final!

“Ladies In Red has taken it to another level this time in,” Stewart said. “The long spell has done her the world of good.

“After two starts back she is in terrific shape for the Oaks series.”

Ladies In Red and Tough Tilly won’t have to look far for dangers, which will come in the shape of their talented stablemates Beach Music, Platinum Sparkle, Runaway Celebrity, Treachery and Joanna.

The latter five have a combined record of 31 wins and 21 placings from 66 starts, but are still considered placing chances behind the top two!

“It is hard to see Ladies In Red and Tough Tilly being beaten, but that’s not to say our other runners aren’t capable of it,” Stewart said.

“With the right run and luck on the night any of them can come away with the win.”