Melbourne trainer Robert Smerdon will have two definite runners in the Queensland Oaks and is hoping Zafiki can sneak into the field.

Chabaud, the winner of the South Australian Fillies Classic at Morphettville on May 21, will join Dulverton in the Group One race at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Last-start Gold Coast winner Zafiki will also run if she can force her way into the 18-horse field.

As of Monday, Zafiki sits at number 23 in the order of entry with the Chris Waller-trained Mount Omei at No.18.

Waller has not yet decided whether Mount Omei will take her place with New Zealand filly Provocative the next in line.

Mount Omei finished fourth in a Warwick Farm barrier trial on Monday with Waller saying he would decide on Wednesday morning whether she would run in the Oaks.

Smerdon said because there were no flights from Adelaide to Brisbane, Chabaud had returned to his Caulfield stable.

“You can’t fly them across anymore like they have done in the past,” Smerdon said.

“She came home from Adelaide with Under The Louvre and has had a good week.

“She did a bit of pacework on Saturday morning and seems in good order.”

Smerdon said he had not yet booked a jockey for Chabaud with Dwayne Dunn electing to stay in Melbourne this weekend.

Mark Zahra will ride Dulverton before he starts a suspension out of Saturday’s Grand Prix Stakes at Doomben.

Dulverton has had three runs this campaign including a 10th in The Roses at Doomben on May 21 when she couldn’t get clear running.

“We know she runs the trip (2400m). It doesn’t matter if it’s wet or dry and I reckon she’s a bit of a sleeper in a race with not huge depth,” Smerdon said.

Both Chabaud and Dulverton are rated $12 chances in a race that has four $7 equal favourites – Dawnie Perfect, Falkenberg, Imposing Lass and Romantic Maid.

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au