Just two starts into her Australian career, exciting New Zealand filly De Armas has already made her mark at the highest level, producing an outstanding performance to finish second in the Group 1 Flight Stakes at Randwick last start.
The result was particularly encouraging given the daughter of Ardrossan was only second-up and stepping straight from 1200m to 1600m. Her performance has now earned her a shot at the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield this Saturday, where she has drawn barrier 7 in a field of 13.
De Armas arrived in Australia with an impressive record from her two-year-old season in New Zealand, where she won her first two starts, including the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes, before finishing fourth in the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO.
Following her transfer to Chris Waller’s stable, she made her Australian debut at Warwick Farm in late September, carrying 61kg over 1200m, and producing a strong closing effort to finish fifth.
With just ten days between runs, the decision to step her straight up to 1600m in the Group 1 Flight Stakes was an ambitious one. However, a favourable barrier draw and the manner of her first-up performance encouraged the decision.
De Armas finishes a close 2nd in the G1 Flight Stakes
Ridden by Zac Lloyd, she produced a terrific performance to finish runner-up, recording the second-fastest final 200m of the race, bettered only by the winner. Her performance over the mile was particularly encouraging, suggesting she is well placed to take on another Group 1 assignment at that distance.
The Group 1 Thousand Guineas on Saturday now presents another opportunity for the filly to compete against her own age and sex at the top level and there is every reason to believe she can prove competitive once again.