Stephen Marsh will be taking a softly, softly Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks approach with She Brings Joy.

She Brings Joy winning the Royal Stakes Picture:Trish Dunell

The Cambridge trainer produced the well-related filly to break her maiden last time out in the Gr.2 Royal Stakes at Ellerslie and she will make just one more appearance before the Wellfield-sponsored classic at Trentham on March 18.

“It’s a case of having to do that – I don’t think she could take two more runs going into the Oaks,” Marsh said.

“She probably won’t run again until the Lowland Stakes. She was feeling her legs a bit after that last race so we gave her a little break and we’ll bring her back up slowly.”

Raced by her breeder Kevin Hickman, the daughter of Sebring had placed in one of her three previous starts before the Royal Stakes, in which her fortunes finally took a turn for the better.

“We were always looking to run her in the Royal Stakes, but we didn’t think she would be in it as a maiden – she just had no luck with barrier draws before then,” Marsh said.

He also acknowledged that She Brings Joy wasn’t opposed by the strongest of line-ups with maiden performers Adis, Grand Soleil and Driven Force the next three runners home.

“I guess you have to question the quality of the field, but you can’t take a Group Two away from her and she’s a beautifully-bred filly,” Marsh said.