Coastal Babe (NZ) Powers to Victoria Oaks Victory

Coastal Babe (NZ) (Downbytheseaside) became a trans-Tasman Group One champion with her powerful victory in the A$150,000 Group One Victoria Oaks (2760m) at Melton on Saturday night.

The brilliant filly flew the New Zealand flag in the best possible style, running to a brilliant staying victory for trainer Steven Reid.

In doing so, Coastal Babe added an Australian Group One title to her New Zealand Group One win in the Caduceus Club Fillies Classic (2200m).

James Herbertson was thrilled to pick up the opportunity to drive Coastal Babe in her Victoria Oaks quest.

The leading reinsman made full use of the filly’s barrier 1 draw and her made their rivals do the chasing.

“To send over a good filly and put a young fellow on is something I really respect,” Herbertson said.

“I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity.”

“She got pressured enough during the run, it was a pretty solid lead time and pretty solid tempo the whole way.”

“The last couple of hundred she kept digging in, she is a pretty good filly.”

Coastal Babe has been stationed with leading Victorian trainer Emma Stewart during her Australian raid.

Stewart produced the second, third, fourth and fifth placegetters in the Group One event.

But they were no match for Coastal Babe.

“Steven sent her over for this race in particular, she’s raced by the same connections as a lot of our horses so it was a no-brainer him to send her over,” Stewart said.

“It is not every day you get sent a horse of her quality.”

As well as being a two-time Group One winner, Coastal Babe is also a two-time Harness Million winner having won both the two and three-year-old Harness Million finals of her year.

Her string of top-level victories have produced lucrative returns for her owners Summit Bloodstock, Aaron Bain Racing, Jeanine Browne, Matthew Dedini, James Roberts, Brad Fitzgerald, Jordan De Mamiel, James Kontis, and Maria Smith.

The filly was secured at the 2022 National Yearling Sale at Karaka for $65,000 when she was offered by her breeders Woodlands Stud.