NZB Quinella G1 VRC Oaks

The Melbourne Spring Carnival just keeps getting better for New Zealand Bloodstock with the latest Group 1 race, the $1 million VRC Oaks (2500m) being quinellaed by its graduates Brazilian Pulse and Shamrocker.

After producing a brave performance to win the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes on Saturday, Brazilian Pulse (Captain Rio x Sharazad) was sent out a short $2.80 favourite to win the fillies' spring feature.

Jockey Craig Williams rode the favourite confidently taking her straight onto the pace. Coming into the long Flemington straight he challenged for the lead on the point of the turn and Brazilian Pulse did the rest, powering away from the field to register her first Group 1 win.

Craig Williams was clearly elated with the win and maintains his perfect record of two rides for two wins on Australia's newest pin-up filly.

Trainer Mike Moroney was confident coming into today's feature race and was very pleased with the win.

"It didn't go to plan put it that way," Moroney said following the win. "I started to worry when she wanted to go back to the fence but she was really strong in the finish so it was a really good effort.

"She goes to the paddock now and then we will consider the autumn as to where we will head, but the first thoughts would be to head to Sydney for the autumn."

As if Brazilian Pulse's Group 1 win was not enough, the performances she has produced over her last two runs are remarkable considering she has only had six race day starts.

Running home for second was another NZB graduate, Shamrocker (O'Reilly x Bohemian Blues). Bought for $65,000 by Danny O'Brien from the 2009 Karaka Select Yearling Sale, she has had a good spring putting in some strong performances in her five starts this campaign. Connections will be pleased to see her pick up some well deserved black type form.

Brazilian Pulse was bought by Paul Moroney Bloodstock for only $26,000 also from the 2009 Karaka Select Yearling Sale. The daughter of Captain Rio has now won three of her six starts and placed in a further two, earning her connections close to $1 million.

"Paul didn't pay much money for her," trainer Michael Moroney said.

"He actually saw her pretty early on. He rung me up after he was doing his tour round the Waikato area and saw her right from the word go and was always going to buy her.

"She had a couple of barrier trials in New Zealand as a late two-year-old then we put her aside and brought her across here.

"I know Paul said to me he thought she was a very good filly and we took his word for it and he's right because she's come across here and done it."

A half-brother to Shamrocker by Shinko King is nominated for the 2011 National Yearling Sale Series. Placement (Savabeel x Lucida) who ran third in the Oaks also has a relation, a half-sister by Pins, nominated for Karaka 2011.

The 2011 Karaka National Yearling Sale Series will be held at New Zealand Bloodstock's Karaka sale complex on 31 January to 7 February. Catalogues will be available from 26 November.

For more information on the up and coming sales, please visit http://www.nzb.co.nz/ for more details.