Racing: Luck for NZ filly changes in Oz Oaks

Tavago. Photo / Darryl Sherer

The agony of losing the New Zealand Oaks on protest has been all but erased in Sofia Rosa's tough ATC Australian Oaks win.

A week after New Zealand colt Tavago won the ATC Australian Derby, Sofia Rosa dug in for a tough Oaks win at Randwick yesterday.

The anguish of losing the New Zealand Oaks in the stewards' room was countered with the filly's win in the $1 million race.

Trainer Stephen Marsh was worried Sofia Rosa's bad habits might cost her as she entered the straight in the Australian version.

"She still wanted to do everything wrong in the straight, I thought 'oh here we go again'," Marsh said.

"But she was good to the line and it's just a huge buzz to win a race like this."

Sofia Rosa will now return to New Zealand for a spell, with the Caulfield Cup a possible target in the spring.

- AAP