The 2018 Gr.1 Queensland Oaks at Doomben is the last classic for the three year old fillies in the 2017-2018 Australian racing season. Sixteen fillies will line up in the Queensland Oaks which will be run over the shorter distance of 2200m at Doomben for the third time after being transferred from its spiritual home at Eagle Farm where the fillies ran over the traditional 2400m.
Recently inducted Hall Of Fame trainer Chris Waller has already tasted Gr. 1 success during this year’s Queensland Winter Racing Carnival with Comin’ Through winning last week’s Group 1 Doomben Cup and the master trainer will saddle up five runners in the Queensland Oaks, including the top two in the betting at Ladbrokes.com.au, Youngstar and Another Dollar.
We will assess the prospects of all sixteen fillies and see if there is any with a chance of upsetting the Chris Waller onslaught.
Aloisia: The Ciaron Maher trained Aloisia is the only Group 1 winner in the Queensland Oaks field after winning the Thousand Guineas over 1600m at Caulfield during the 2017 Melbourne Spring Carnival. Aloisia then went on to win the Group 2 The Vase over 2040m at The Valley before failing to fill a place in the 2500m Group 1 Kennedy Oaks at Flemington.
Sheezdashing: Sheezdashing is racing in the best form of her career but is struggling to find the winner’s stall after being runner up at her last three starts. The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra trained filly is also flying in from Adelaide where she ran second to Sopressa in the Australasian Oaks and if she can repeat that effort will be among the major end of the prizemoney again.
Youngstar: Youngstar is the first of Chris Waller’s five runners and has been installed the favourite for the Queensland Oaks with Ladbrokes.com.au after she continued on her upward spiral with her last start win in the Group 2 The Roses over 2000m at Doomben.
Savacool: Savacool is another from the Waller stable who has plenty of miles under her belt and is lining up in the Queensland Oaks after racing in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide this campaign.
Another Dollar: Another Dollar has been working her way up through the grades and produced a career best run last start when she chased home her Chris Waller trained stablemate Youngstar when runner up in The Roses.
Tinkermosa: Tinkermosa has been racing consistently in restricted grade with three seconds and a win from her last four starts around the provincials and the Sydney midweeks with her latest effort being a recent second over 2139m at Warwick Farm.
Highway: The Steve Englebrecht trained Highway ran out of her skin last start to stick on for third behind Youngstar and Another Dollar in The Roses after racing on the pace. Deanne Panya will probably push forward again from an awkward barrier draw and her stamina will be tested again.
Joyfilly Ours: Joyfilly Ours has been well beaten at all three starts this campaign and was sent out at long odds last start when sixth in The Roses and will be one of the outsiders again in the Queensland Oaks.
Play That Song: Play That Song made up a little bit of ground last start coming from last when seventh in The Roses and barrier fifteen will probably see Michael Cahill settle the filly well back in the field again. Has a lot of work to do.
Coral Coast: Trainer Anthony Freedman has opted to put the blinkers on Coral Coast who was doing her best work at the finish last start when fourth in The Roses. Mark Zahra has the job ahead to slot Coral Coast into a trailing position from the outside barrier with the blinkers on for the first time. Needs a lot of luck.
Terra Sancta: Kiwi filly Terra Sancta was unplaced in the Group 1 2400m New Zealand Oaks in March but has won both her starts in restricted grade since. She has a reasonable draw at barrier eight and it is always wise to keep the Kiwis under close scrutiny.
Impulsive: Another filly with the Chris Waller polish who found winning form last start over 1800m at the Gold Coast. Waller must some opinion of the So You Think filly but place hopes look best.
Miss Shanti: Miss Shanti is the last of the Waller runners and is marked as one of the outsiders of the Queensland Oaks field coming off a last start second over 2000m at Hawkesbury.
Delaney’s Desire: A win by Delaney’s Desire would be the upset of the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival after the filly was well beaten in a 2200m three year old Handicap at the Sunshine Coast.
Protest: Protest was doing her best work over the concluding stages last start but looks outclassed on her second over 2200m at the Sunshine Coast.
She’s Reliable: The Kelly Schweida trained She’s Reliable is another filly that you can write you own ticket for coming off a maiden win over 1800m at the Gold Coast.
Click Here To Watch Queensland Oaks 2017
Distance: 2, 400 metres, Surface: Turf, Track: Right-handed, Qualification: Three year old fillies, Weight: Set weights - 56 1⁄2 kg, Purse: A$500, 000 (2017)
Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretaristworld.com