"We knew the 1600m would suit while a number of others would struggle with the extended distance." Sacred Elixir was ridden by former Queenslander Zac Purton, regular rider of the horses in Hong Kong raced by the youngster's owners Raffles Thoroughbred Racing.
Purton, winning his first group one in his home state, said the race had been a breeze. "I had it won at the 700m. When we were coming into it beautifully, the others were crammed up.
"All we had to do was stay out of trouble. He's raw. There could be a lot of improvement left in him.
"He's a lovely big horse and he still has to fill his frame. Mentally he has to think about everything he's doing.
"When it comes together and he gets over a bit more ground he'll be a very exciting type." Apart from the emergencies Provocative went into the Oaks as having won significantly less stakemoney than the opposition and beat them as though she was in a different class.
"Both horses brained the opposition," said Tony Pike. "The wide barriers turned out being in our favour. The new Eagle Farm surface raced beautifully with them winning close to the rails for the first half of the programme, but with 10 races and 18-horse fields the inside was always going to cut out a little for the late races." Sacred Elixir and Provocative both improved wide around the leaders approaching the home bend and had their respective races won long before the finish. Both will now spell in Queensland with Melbourne campaigns in the spring in mind.
"It doesn't make sense to leave the warm weather here and take them back into the middle of a New Zealand winter. They can have a month's pre-training here at Eagle Farm before heading down to Melbourne."
Sacred Elixir's preparation will be aimed towards the Victoria Derby, the JJ Atkins-Derby double last being achieved by the superbly versatile Mahogany in 1993.
Pike said both horses have come through their victories in wonderful shape.
"The 2-year-old ate all his overnight feed and the filly left only a handful. They've pulled up sound and we couldn't be happier."
Pike was also delighted in Sacred Star's effort to finish fifth in the A$1.5 million Stradbroke Handicap.
"The old bloke was 100 to 1 in a very hot field. I am so proud of him."
Rosie Myers created her own slice of history when she won the group two Brisbane Cup aboard Kiwi stayer Benzini on Saturday.
Myers became the first woman to ride the winner of the Brisbane Cup when Benzini ($11) scored by a neck from Sir John Hawkwood ($5) with Junoob ($12) three lengths away third.
Myers declared Benzini her favourite horse.
Rider a bit lucky to win with youngster
If you backed Elusive State to make a winning debut at Te Rapa on Saturday, you've used up your week's supply of good luck.
Trainer Trevor and Martin Cruz expected the youngster to run a place, but thought the winter footing - although decent - would probably prevent a win.
What they hadn't expected - and how could they - that the bit would break in Elusive State's mouth halfway through the contest.
For a time rider Lynsey Satherley had trouble controlling the youngster, but she aided the situation somewhat by taking the horse forward to be outside the leader.
Fortunately Elusive State wore a crossover nose band, which almost certainly helped at least slightly keep the bit from getting into a more difficult position.
Satherley was able to ride the 2-year-old out strongly to hold out the solid-finishing favourite Poker Face.
The brothers, who train Elusive State for their mother, Angel, hope the horse will be a Guineas contender in the spring.
- Additional reporting AAP
