Byron Cozamanis preparing Talisay for upset win in VRC Oaks at Flemington

The Morphettville trainer has promising filly Talisay flying the flag for South Australia in Thursday’s Group 1 VRC Oaks at Flemington, and while she’s a $34 roughie with Sportsbet, her recent form indicates she’s not to be dismissed in the $1m classic for fillies.

The daughter of Pride Of Dubai made late ground to finish sixth in the Wakeful Stakes last start, and her three runs prior have continued to age well.

Four starts ago she hunted down Goldrush Guru to win at Morphettville, before back-to-back third placings behind the colt at benchmark and stakes-level.

Those formlines were boosted last Saturday, when Goldrush Guru proved too strong for his interstate rivals in the Victoria Derby.

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Cozamanis is delighted with how the three-year-old has bounced through her last start at Flemington.

She will be piloted by Victorian hoop Billy Egan, from barrier eight, on Thursday.

“She hasn’t missed a beat. She’s just pottered around the last couple of days, she’s very bright and 100 per cent to go,” Cozamanis said.

“I’m very happy with her.”

As with the rest of the field, Thursday will be Talisay’s first test over 2500m, but Cozamanis is confident it won’t be an issue.

“I think the extra 500m will suit her, Goldrush Guru is a very good horse and she did beat him that time,” he said.

“There was a lot of pace on that day, which helps, hopefully there’s a bit of pace on Thursday and he (Egan) can have her a little bit closer.”

Small but strong in stature, Talisay is out of unraced mare Mykaetob, and was a $30,000 yearling purchase at the 2023 Magic Millions Yearling Sale in Adelaide.

“She’s not real big, but she’s very stocky, she looks like a sprinter,” he said.

“Her mother is a half-sister to Makybe Diva, so that’s where the staying comes into it.”

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Regardless of Thursday’s result, Cozamanis will send the filly for a well-deserved break before a tilt at the Adelaide Autumn.

“Whatever happens tomorrow, she’ll be going to the paddock and I’ll bring her back for the Adelaide carnival for the Oaks and that here,” he said.

“I think she’ll get black type for sure, she’s improving all the time.”

For now however, Cozamanis has his focus on Thursday’s VRC Oaks.

The veteran horseman, who began training in 1972, is chasing that elusive Group 1 triumph.

“We’re all pretty excited about it,” he said.

“It’s always exciting to have one in a Group 1 – I’m pretty excited about that.

“I’ve run a couple of seconds, and a couple of thirds in a Group 1, but never won one.”

Originally published as Byron Cozamanis preparing Talisay for upset win in VRC Oaks at Flemington