Chris Frisby will be looking to strike in the 2020 Victoria Oaks Final (2,760 metres), hoping to bring up the second Group 1 training victory of his career.
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Taking out the Bohemia Crystal in March last year with star pacer Our Uncle Sam, Frisby now has his sights set on Saturday night's Group 1 Oaks final at Melton with three-year-old filly Jenden Strike.
Starting an $82 long-shot in her heat last week, Jenden Strike impressed Frisby with her gutsy run in the event, running third and securing herself a spot in the final.
"We were really happy with her run, it was an unreal run actually," Frisby said.
"She's gone from winning a race at Parkes to getting a run in the Victoria Oaks, we can't ask for anymore than that."
With the heat run over a distance of 2710 metres, Frisby was unsure of how his filly would handle it.
Then, landing in the death seat with no runners interested in providing cover, it was the ultimate test for the lightly raced filly.
"Her run at Shepparton the week before was good so I thought she would go okay," Frisby said.
"We looked like getting a good run in the one-one, but that didn't last long and when we ended up in the death I was worried."
With the leader and $1.50 favourite Stylish Memphis running home to win in a blistering 55.4 last half over the longer distance, Jenden Strike battled away to only finish 8.1m from the winner.
"I must say she's never put in a bad race for us but put it this way, I wouldn't have brought her down here thinking she would get a run in the Oaks," Frisby said.
Frisby was taking stable-star Our Uncle Sam down to campaign in the Ballarat and Hunter Cup, so decided to take Jenden Strike as well.
"She had a VIC bred bonus in her so I thought I might as well bring her along and try to get her bonus," he said.
"Now we're looking at a Group 1."
Coming up with the advantageous barrier one draw, Frisby is confident that Jenden Strike will step up to the challenge.
"I'm really happy with the draw, we needed it," he said.
"There's a few really nice horses in it but at least we know that she will handle the distance and she'll try her hardest."
Jenden Strike will go around in race seven at Melton on Saturday night, at 9.07pm.
