If things had gone smoothly for Palacio De Cristal she would have been racing in the VRC Oaks but trainer Grahame Begg was just as happy to see her win a support race on the Flemington program.After a couple of mishaps, Palacio De Cristal's preparation was interrupted for seven weeks but Begg had her spot-on for the Moet & Chandon (1700m).The filly gave Dwayne Dunn a couple of anxious moments when she faltered as she tried to get around runners but once she balanced up she put in a superior fini

If things had gone smoothly for Palacio De Cristal she would have been racing in the VRC Oaks but trainer Grahame Begg was just as happy to see her win a support race on the Flemington program.

After a couple of mishaps, Palacio De Cristal's preparation was interrupted for seven weeks but Begg had her spot-on for the Moet & Chandon (1700m).

The filly gave Dwayne Dunn a couple of anxious moments when she faltered as she tried to get around runners but once she balanced up she put in a superior finishing sprint to beat Purple by 1-1/4 lengths.

"She had a setback and we have been playing catch-up with her," Begg said.

"It was too late to get her ready for the Oaks but I decided to bring her to Melbourne for the experience and this will season her up a bit.

"She is definitely an Oaks filly for the autumn.

"Her mother is a full-sister to Naturalism and won a Queensland Oaks."

Crystal Palace, the dam of Palacio De Cristal, won the 1997 Queensland Oaks while Naturalism won Group One races up to the 2400 metres of his 1992 AJC Australian Derby triumph.

Begg and Dunn will combine again on Saturday with All Silent in the Group One Emirates Stakes with Begg forced to find a replacement for the suspended Damien Oliver who rode him to victory in the Group Three AAMI Travel Insurance (1400m) last Saturday.

"I had Damien Oliver booked for all my horses but Dwayne Dunn is a pretty good substitute," Begg said.

"All Silent is outstanding, he has done extremely well since Saturday."

All Silent is also regally bred being a half-brother to multiple Group One-winning mare Private Steer.