De Armas delivers brilliant Gr.2 win!

31 October 2026
De Armas (NZ) ridden by Blake Shinn wins the HKJC World Pool Wakeful Stakes at Flemington Racecourse on October 31, 2026 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

Elsdon Park’s homebred Ardrossan filly De Armas has stormed home to win today’s HKJC World Pool Wakeful Stakes (Gr.2, 2000m) at Flemington.

The Derby Day victory might have been her first win on Australian soil, but she arrived with plenty of admirers after her bold second in the Gr.1 Darley Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

Stepping up to 2000m for the first time, De Armas relished the trip under Blake Shinn, finishing strongly as the $3.50 favourite to score by 1.25 lengths.

It’s her third career win, following victories over 800m and 1100m. Her previous best came in New Zealand, when she won the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes for trainer Johnno Benner.

By Ardrossan out of Regal Winks, De Armas was offered through our draft on the 2025 Gavelhouse National Online Yearling Sale, where she was purchased by Benner Racing for $16,000.

Congratulations to OTI Racing and all her owners, Chris Waller Racing and his team, and Blake Shinn.

What a filly!

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