The feature race of the day at Eagle Farm and across Australia for that matter, is the G1 QLD Oaks. A full field of eighteen line up with punters sticking with the G3 The Roses (2000m) form from a fortnight ago, where Dear Demi and Gondokoro ran the quinella. They dominate the market and are $3.40 and $3.80 respectively – the only runners under double figures.
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1. DEAR DEMI – N Rawiller (3)
Winner of the VRC Oaks last Spring, the daughter of Dehere also ran second in the ATC Version by Royal Descent two start back. Since then, she claimed the traditional lead up race for this event, the G3 The Roses a fortnight ago and backed that up last week with a sixth (beaten 4.6 lengths) in the G3 Grand Prix against the males. No doubting her ability or form and should be involved in the finish.
2. KAZANLUK – K McEvoy (8)
Red Ransom filly trained for Darley by Anthony Freedman, she stepped up to 2000m for the first time in her eleven start career when ninth (beaten 4 ¼ lengths) in the G3 The Roses last fortnight. It was a fair run given that she found herself in a bit of trouble leaving the straight for the first time and, you would expect her to be better for the experience however, needed to see more from her over the final 100m than we did last start.
3. SOAPY STAR – J Bowman (10)
Consistent mare from Kris Lee’s stable who has won five and, been placed a further seven times from her sixteen starts. She had every chance in the run but was no match for stable-mate Express Power in the Gold Coast Bracelet two starts back before, in the The Roses, getting back from her wide draw and finished ok for sixth, 2.4 lengths behind Dear Demi. Honest mare who will give a good account of herself but will find a few too good.
4. GONDOKORO – (1)
Zabeel filly who, although only having won one from twelve starts (a Moonee Valley Maiden) four starts back, on her recent is a leading chance here. She chased home Royal Descent in the ATC Oaks and then, at her first run for four weeks, rattled home to just miss Dear Demi in the The Roses (2000m). The way she ran through the line last start, along with her breeding, would suggest the 2400m of this trip is ideal, as will be the bigger Eagle Farm circuit. Off her last start, she’s the one to beat.
5. EXPRESS POWER – J Cassidy (2)
She was very strong in winning the Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) two starts back and that effort saw her installed the 6/4 favourite in the G3 The Roses at her last start. From a good draw, she was given every chance in the run but when asked for her effort at the top of the straight, didn’t respond in her normal manner and she finished a lacklustre seventh (beaten 3 ¾ lengths). She was reported to be lame after the race so can forgive her to a certain degree. Another good draw and drier surface are also pluses and she’s one that, provided she over any injuries from the last start, could start over the odds.
6. FANTISHA – T Bell (9)
Back-maker from Steve O’Dea yard who won the Listed Princess Stakes three starts back on a slow track but, in her latest two efforts in the Gold Coast Bracelet and The Roses, has failed to make an impression finishing seventh and eighth respectively. On these latest efforts, it’s hard to make a legitimate case for her here.
7. PROPER MADAM – C Reith (16)
Mornington Trainer Jason Warren, brings this daughter of Stratum from Adelaide where, despite not winning, was competitive in races such as the G3 Schweppes Stakes (1800m) and Schweppes SA Oaks before, at her most recent start, running a half length fourth to Wowee in the G3 Fillies Classic (2500m). Drawn wide and will get back but no question over her ability to stay the trip. Her class on the other hand may be tested against a few here.
8. VAQUERA – M Rodd (5)
Lightly raced High Chaparral filly from Gai Waterhouse’s yard who broke her maiden status four starts back at Newcastle in Maiden company over 1500m. Since then, she won a BM 66 at Canterbury, was then tailed off in the Gold Coast Bracelet and at her most recent start, stuck on very well for a half length fourth behind Dear Demi in The Roses. Bred to stay, drawn well and will get her chance.
9. ANTARCTIC DREAM – (4)
Bruce Hill trained filly who hasn’t promoted her chances here at any of her four starts this preparation. From a wide draw she got back in the field and failed to make an impression in the run home when tenth in the Gold Coast Bracelet before trying a change of tactics in The Roses last fortnight and leading, only to weaken badly late and finish thirteenth, twelve lengths from the winner.
10. JUST AS COSMIC – C Munce (14)
From the stables of Rosehill trainer Steven Wilson, this filly had won three on the trot before making the trip north to contest The Roses last fortnight. Whilst it was a significant jump in grade on her winning efforts, the daughter of Fomalhaut performed well and finished better than most to run fifth (beaten 1.6) behind Dear Demi. Would think she’d be better for the try at 2000m and has the services of Chris Munce but the draw is an awkward one.
11. MAGIC IN MOTION – G Colless (18)
She won an Ipswich Class 1 (1350m) when commencing this campaign three starts back, backed that up with another win at Ipswich in a BM 75 (1620m) before being thrown in the deep end by trainer Rob Heathcote and performing well, recording a fourth (beaten 1.5 lengths) behind Dear Demi in The Roses. Magic Albert filly that improves with each run but would doubt there’s enough improvement on last start to negate the widest draw.
12. ZOMBIE DANCER – M Walker (17)
Did well to run fourth in the Gold Coast Bracelet two starts back, where she was jumping from 1400m to 1800m, to run third behind Express Power and Soapy Star. The daughter of Encosta de Lago was then ridden forward from her wide gate in The Roses last fortnight but weakened too much (finished twelfth, beaten 10 lengths) to be considered a live chance here from another poor draw.
13. GERMAYNE LASS – R Wiggins (15)
Ran third in the Listed Princess Stakes three starts back but in her two subsequent runs, the Gold Coast Bracelet and The Roses, the daughter of Stromberg Carlson has been well accounted for in both. An on-pacer who drew well in The Roses but weakened to run eleventh that effort, combined with a far worse draw here would see her struggle.
14. IRELAND’S TEARDROP – P Robl (7)
Beautifully bred filly, (Fastnet Rock x Isolda) she has only the one win to her name in twelve starts (Wyong BM 68 over 2100m) but did run fourth in the Listed Ethereal Stakes (2000m) behind Alzora and Summerbliss last prep. She’s had three starts this time in with the latest being in a BM 70m at Warwick Farm over 2200m where she finished 2.6 being Instrumentalist. Better suited back here against her own age and sex and could be one for multiples.
15. MISS ZENELLA – L Nolen (12)
Another well bred filly, this one by Zabeel out of a Danehill mare, she has won two from five for trainer Peter Moody including her most recent start, a RST 68 Sale over 1700 where she won by 3 ¼ lengths. It is a long way in both distance and class from Sale to today’s event however, have to respect Moody’s decision to have a crack at this race.
16. PHANTOM CALLER – P Hammersley (6)
Finally broke her maiden status four starts back, at her tenth start with a win in a Doomben Maiden (2140m). In her three runs since then she’s added a further win – a Class 2 at the Sunshine Coast but will struggle here.
17. PORCELLANUS – T Clark (13)
Gai Waterhouse trains and like her other runner in the race, this filly is also by High Chaparral. She’s been to the races twice for two wins – a Newcastle Maiden (1400m) and then straight to town for a half length win in a BM 74 (1600m) at Warwick Farm over Mossmoney. Obviously as her fair share of ability but a race such as this one, may have come upon her too soon in her career.
18. THE LAST SHOWER – (11)
New Zealand galloper who made his Australian debut at Ipswich a fortnight ago and, as a 3/1 shot in an Open race over 2200m, finished eighth, beaten 5.6 lengths. Not on that effort or the ones from New Zealand.
OVERVIEW
Stick with the traditional lead up race here as the best form reference – The Roses. Dear Demi was good enough last week in a tougher race. Some concern over her backing up three weekends in a row but as her overall record suggests, she’s a class filly. Gondokoro’s run – or last 100m to be more precise – in The Roses was as a good a trail as her trainer Pat Carey could have hoped for. She attacked the line and the extra trip and bigger circuit only further enhance her chances. She’s the one to beat for mine. For the minor placings, and there’s a host of them, stick with The Roses form and suggest Just As Cosmic and Vaquera with Express Power who can bounce back.