Proxima Dea fit and ready for Oaks challenge

The maestro David Payne declared unbeaten filly Proxima Dea a stronger stayer than former stable star Montefilia going into the Group 1 $1 million Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on Thursday.

Proxima Dea is the dominant favourite for the fillies classic after she defeated the "boys" convincingly in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes last start.

Montefilia also won the Spring Champion in 2020 and was sent out the $1.80 favourite for the Oaks only to finish third behind Personal.

Payne is not only convinced Proximea Dea is better equipped to stay the 2500m but they got the tactics wrong with Montefialia in the Oaks six years ago.

"I think Proxima Dea stays better,'' Payne said.

"But in fairness to Montefilia, I think we rode her upside down in the Oaks. If we had ridden her quietly, she probably would have won.

"We know this filly (Proxima Dea) stays and we can ride her anywhere really but I would like her to be in the first three or four in the run.''

Proxima Dea, latin for 'another goddess' is in her debut preparation and has done a remarkable job to remain undefeated from five starts, making the quantum leap from maiden to a Group 1 three-year-old classic winner.

Payne, who has trained over 100 Group 1 winners during an outstanding training career that began in South Africa more than five decades ago before he made the ultimately successful move to Sydney in 2002, admitted Proxima Dea's rapid rise through the ranks has caught him by surprise.

"She is nothing to look at but she does have a lovely action,'' Payne said. "And she's a natural stayer, she recovers so quickly after her gallops and races.''

Although Proxima Dea doesn't have any experience racing in the Melbourne direction, Payne said his filly has adapted easily galloping left-handed at Rosehill.

"I've galloped her the reverse way a few times now and I did give her a strong piece of work (Saturday morning),'' Payne said.

"It wasn't a worry in the world for her, she handled it easily.''

Payne said Proxima Dea, who will be ridden by Sydney's leading jockey Zac Lloyd in the Oaks, was sent to Melbourne on Monday and won't need to do any more fast work before the big race.

"She's very fit, I can't have her any fitter- she's ready now,'' Payne said.