An unconventional preparation towards the VRC Oaks is paying off for Zanbagh who claimed her second Ballarat win against older horses on Thursday.

After the filly broke her maiden at the Victorian track two weeks ago, Sydney trainer Guy Walter decided to dodge the Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield to give Zanbagh a softer option to build her confidence.

Walter said she would not run in the Wakeful Stakes at Flemington five days before the Oaks on November 7.

On the advice of Glen Boss who rode her at her first Ballarat start, blinkers came off and the filly powered to the line on the heavy ground, five lengths ahead of Step Dance.

"To my eye she couldn't have been more impressive," Walter said.

"She handled the ground which was very, very good to see. I think she'll be running in the Oaks on that.

"She is lightly framed and in my opinion the Wakeful is not the best way to go."

Steven Arnold filled in for the suspended Boss after riding the filly in a Flemington workout on Tuesday.

"She is a smooth goer which suggests she'll run a trip," Arnold said.

"She built into the race and is on an upward spiral."

Zanbagh is a daughter of 2004 Australian Oaks winner Wild Iris and like her mother, sports the famous red and white Tait family colours.