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The 2026 Wakeful Stakes results produced a new major player in this year’s VRC Oaks betting market on Saturday at Flemington, with the classy Chris Waller-trained filly De Armas (NZ) proving far too strong in the traditional Oaks lead-up and immediately firming in betting for next week’s Group 1 feature.

Starting the $3.60 equal favourite alongside fellow fancied filly Icelady, De Armas delivered a polished staying performance in the Group 2 $300,000 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) under Blake Shinn to capture the victory by 1 ¼ lengths over shock 80/1 roughie Girl With A Pearl, while Icelady boxed on for third. The winner stopped the clock in 2:03.26, stamping herself as a genuine contender for the upcoming Group 1 $1 million VRC Crown Oaks (2500m) on Day 3 of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

2026 Wakeful Stakes Results

Wakeful Stakes | De Armas

De Armas powers home for her first win on Australian soil under the urgings of @blake_shinn for @cwallerracing! ? https://t.co/ytne1ZTJ8A

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 31, 2026

De Armas Enhances VRC Oaks Credentials

The victory continued an impressive spring campaign for the New Zealand-bred daughter of Ardrossan, who had previously finished runner-up in the Group 1 Flight Stakes in Sydney and fourth in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield.

Despite still showing signs of immaturity throughout the run, De Armas produced a powerful finishing burst after settling off a genuinely-run pace before sprinting clear in the straight.

The performance was enough to see bookmakers immediately react, with the filly firming from $9 into $4 in all-in VRC Oaks betting at Ladbrokes where she now sits clear second elect behind unbeaten Spring Champion Stakes heroine Proxima Dea ($2).

Treasurethemoment (2024) was the last filly to complete the Wakeful Stakes – VRC Oaks double.

For Waller and the powerhouse OTI Racing ownership group, the win provided another valuable staying prospect heading into the final week of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Blake Shinn Masterclass Delivers Third Wakeful Stakes

Representing the stable, former champion jockey Darren Beadman was full of praise for Shinn’s race-winning ride.

“That was a 12 out of 10 ride,” Beadman told Racing Victoria.

“We were quite fortunate that they did roll along in the race, running good sectionals, which probably allowed him to be a little bit further back and just to rest her.

“She chimed into the race probably a little bit too well and got to the front probably a little bit too quick but we won’t knock that one back.”

Beadman admitted there remains further improvement to come from the talented filly.

“She still did a few things wrong, she laid out, she didn’t really get around Caulfield the other day, but the big track here obviously suits her,” he added.

“She’s obviously entered for the Oaks on Thursday, so Chris and the team will see how she pulls up.

“OTI have got a very handy filly on their hands.”

While all attention was focused on De Armas, Beadman also provided an update on stablemates Tharwa and Your Colour, who finished well back in the field.

“I saw Your Colour and she was struggling a little bit before the corner,” he said of the eventual 11th placegetter.

“Tharwa (9th) had to make a bit of a wide run, loomed up like she was going to do something but just didn’t probably finish it off.

“All eyes were on De Armas at the clock tower.”

Shinn Believes Oaks Distance Will Suit

Shinn, who secured his third career Wakeful Stakes success, was equally impressed with the filly’s ability despite continuing to race a little awkwardly under pressure.

“She’s still not an easy ride by any means,” he said.

“She really was quite unbalanced getting around the turn.

“I was really trying to coach her to get onto her right leg, her offside leg, just to balance out.”

The star hoop revealed it took considerable effort to get the filly balanced before she lengthened in the straight.

“It took me a little bit to get her to change, but she won authoritatively and ran the distance out nicely,” Shinn added.

Shinn was pleased to secure a feature race winner for OTI Racing and acknowledged the significance of the Wakeful Stakes as a proven Oaks lead-up.

“Great to get a winner in these colours,” he said.

“OTI are big supporters of the industry.

“It’s my third Wakeful, it’s a great lead up to the Oaks.

“You never know what Chris will do now with her.”

Is De Armas the New Oaks Threat?

The obvious question following Saturday’s dominant victory is whether De Armas will back up in Thursday’s VRC Oaks (2500m).

Waller has historically been selective with his fillies in the staying classic, but Shinn believes the extra distance itself will not be a concern.

“History tells you Chris Waller is not a trainer that likes to run many in the Oaks,” the hoop said.

“I think last year might have been his first runner.

“He’s the best person to decide that.

“I don’t think the distance will be a problem.

“It’s just whether he thinks she’s physically and mentally ready for that challenge.

“It’s up to him.”

The jockey also revealed his tactical adjustment shortly after the start proved crucial.

“I made that decision pretty early,” he explained.

“When the horse outside me, Grinzinger Heart jumped, I thought it would go forward given its history and it injected quite a bit of pressure into the race.

“So I just went to plan B, rode her a bit quieter and that just allowed her to come into the race.

“She had it won at the 400, albeit doing a few little things wrong, but her class shone through.”

As for any gear changes ahead of a potential Oaks tilt, Shinn would prefer to leave things unchanged.

“I don’t think so,” he said.

“I think it’s more a mental thing.

“I think blinkers wouldn’t be the right thing, she wants to get on a Sydney leg at times and then I think it’s just a matter of figuring it out and I think that’ll come in time.

“I wouldn’t change too much right now.”

The result has added genuine intrigue to the VRC Oaks 2026 betting market, with De Armas emerging as the latest filly capable of challenging the unbeaten Proxima Dea for Group 1 glory next Thursday at Flemington.

Punters now eagerly await Waller’s decision, but based on Saturday’s effort, the Wakeful Stakes winner has quickly gone from smoky to serious contender in the race for this year’s Oaks crown.

Wakeful Stakes 2026 Results & Finishing Order