Marboosha winning at Flemington (Image: Racing Photos)
Oxley Road came to the end of his autumn campaign with a thud as fellow three-year-old Marboosha created a huge impression at the beginning of hers as a stunning winner of the Listed Incognitus Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
Marboosha, who was having her first run since the Spring Carnival, signaled she may be able to continue a winning run by three-year-old fillies in Melbourne's final Group 1 of the season in the William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on March 19.
The past two William Reids have been won by fillies Loving Gaby (2020) and Sunlight (2019).
After sitting back in the ruck, jockey Dean Yendall produced the heavily backed Dream Ahead filly inside the 200-metre mark and she exploded late to win by a length-and-a-quarter from Supreme Idea ($21), with Bella Nipotina ($8) three-quarters of a length third in the 1100-metre sprint.
WATCH: Marboosha's win
Yendall said he didn't feel like he was going to be the winner early in the race.
"She was actually off the bridle early," he said. "It was surprising watching her up the straight that she was on the keener side (previously).
"She settled really well, followed the right horses through and got on the back of Oxley Road - I thought it was travelling alright.
"It gave me enough into the race and the rest was history."
Trainer Peter Moody said he was supremely confident that Oxley Road ($2.70 fav) could continue his unbeaten run at just his third start after watching him parade before the race.
"There were certainly no signs before the race that he might have had enough but he looked to race that way. We'll take him home and look him over but that might be it for the time being and we'll look to bring him back for the spring," he said of the brother to G1 winner Exceedance.