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Exciting filly’s Oaks preparation hits a snag
Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • December 21st, 2025 2:00 pm
The Dirty Dee winning on debut at New Plymouth last month. Photo: Jane Davidson (Race Images)
The Dirty Dee’s Oaks preparation hit a slight snag this week when trainer Robbie Patterson was forced to scratch her from Saturday’s Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m), but he is hoping to get her quickly back on track.
The three-year-old daughter of Derryn garnered plenty of attention following her impressive debut victory at New Plymouth last month, drawing comparisons to her former Oaks-winning stablemate Leica Lucy.
Those comparisons were further enhanced when she finished runner-up over 1400m at Trentham a fortnight ago, the same position Leica Lucy filled in the same race following a similar hampered run.
Leica Lucy went on to win the Eulogy Stakes at her next start, and The Dirty Dee was heavily favoured to do the same, however, she suffered a muscle strain and Patterson elected to withdraw his filly.
“It was disappointing (having to scratch), but we have still got a horse,” Patterson said. “It was only slight muscle problems. Her muscle enzymes were through the roof, so we had to put her aside.”
Patterson is hoping to get The Dirty Dee quickly back on track and head to Trentham next month for the Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) before tackling the Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2100m) at Te Rapa in February, and ultimately the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Ellerslie.
“She will keep, we will try and get her to the Desert Gold and then the one at Te Rapa, and the Oaks will be a fortnight later,” Patterson said.
While disappointed not to line-up The Dirty Dee on Saturday, Patterson was still represented in the Eulogy by stablemate Capaci, who was strong late to capture third place.
Patterson was rapt with her performance and he is looking forward to her following the same blueprint as The Dirty Dee.
“For a horse who was only having her second start and is still learning the caper in that grade, it was a great performance,” he said. “Her sectionals were really good compared to the winner and second horse.
“Going forward, we are getting excited. She relaxes beautifully, so I don’t think those (Oaks) trips will be a problem in her own age group.”
Patterson was also pleased with the performance of Belles Beau on Saturday, with the five-year-old gelding rocketing home to finish third in the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m), and the Taranaki horseman is looking forward to returning to the track next month to tackle the Gr.2 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) with his charge.
“It was super, he is looking for a mile,” Patterson said. “If it was a mile yesterday, he wins, but he will get his chance in the Thorndon over a mile.
“It is not going to be easy, but by the way he is going, he is going to be competitive that’s for sure.”
