Diva Peron (NZ)

After such a wonderful start to his stallion career up north, it was most disappointing for the Australasian breeding industry that Coolmore Stud decided to sell the Southern Hemisphere rights in Mastercraftsman to a Chile-based stud before the sire had any chance to prove himself from his New Zealand-bred crops. Recent events suggest Mastercraftsman could be sorely missed with two of his current 3yo daughters Mime (G2) and Valley Girl (G1) among the best of their generation this season, this on top of the success last term by Wakeful Stakes (G2) winner and Victoria Oaks (G1) runner-up Thunder Lady.

Clearly, Mastercraftsman produces superior Classic staying contenders and we unearthed this cracking filly from a Group 2 placed mare by an equally dominant middle-distance sire, High Chaparral. Further back in her family is Queensland Derby-Oaks double winner Bravery and this filly is among our top picks of the Oaks-type fillies seen across the sales in 2016. Well worth the wait.