The Queensland version of the Oaks has been a good guide to producing future quality horses.
Ethereal and Arctic Scent won Caulfield Cups later that year (of course Ethereal won an even bigger race). It's also a race for the blueblood fillies as there have been some legendary bloodlines taking out the G1 staying feature. Any more Caulfield Cup winners we can find?
2nd: Vietnam (54.0kg), 3rd: Stars in Flight (54.0kg)
Allow was an early G1 winner for Stathi Katsidis Photo by Bronwen Healy Most think of Clarry Conners for his exploits with the babies in winning four Slippers (Tierce, Burst, Prowl & Belle de Jour). But he's won a few classics as well with the likes of Air Seattle and Research to mention a couple. Allow wasn't one you'd immediately look to as a classic contender. She didn't exactly set up her form in the big races. In fact she'd had barely a run in a metropolitan race in Sydney with most of her form on the provincials. She ran home well in the Gold Coast Bracelet and the Doomben Roses and staying 2400 look right up her ally. Jumping OK, she drifted back to midfield before Stathi began to sweep into the race at the half mile. He rode her impeccably keeping momentum while being out of trouble. The little grey appreciated this, clearing out by 3L. As was the case the year before, Allow took on the boys in the Derby but she too came unstuck behind Ice Chariot.
• 2007 – ESKIMO QUEEN 3f (Shinko King x Cold Type) ($3.50 fav)
Jockey: Greg Childs, Trainer: Michael Moroney
Barrier: 7, Weight: 55.5kg
Gross Time: 2:32.66, 600m Sectional: 36.27
Margin: 3.5L, Track: Dead, Starters: 17
2nd: Doug's Mate (55.5kg), 3rd: Rose of Sharon (55.5kg)
Eskimo Queen scored an effortless win in the Oaks Photo by Racing and Sports Life hadn't seemed hard for the well named filly Eskimo Queen. She won twice and placed twice in NZ before she moved here for the Winter Carnival. Her placing, running home from 12th in the Roses, was good enough to suggest the Oaks was an adequate target. In the race My Lady's Chamber nearly fell at the start, going down on her nose. Greg Childs got her into a great spot, 5th one off after 400m. AJC Oaks winner Rena's Lady got revving then Rose of Sharon took up the lead followed by Zingara at the 1400m mark. While all this was happening, Childs kept poking her along and even though she was the 5-2 fav, he rode her like a 6-4 on shot. Coming to the turn, she sprinted superbly, giving nothing else a chance and bolting in. That's when life got hard for her. Eskimo Queen started favourite in the Qld Derby but clipped heels and fell at the mile mark, ended up prone under the gates in the Caulfield Cup and then got lacerated in the Doncaster. A Coolmore win capped her career and now she's off to stud – can't find any problems there can she?
• 2008 – RIVA SAN 3f (Any Given Sunday x Best River) ($26)
Riva San did the Oaks/Derby double Photo by Racing and Sports Little Riva San was mixing it in and around all the fillies in the Spring – 4th in the Guineas, 2nd in the Wakeful and 7th in the Oaks. Peter Moody planned this assault well by taking her along slowly and avoiding the better ones who'd gone to Sydney. Not beaten far in the Roses behind Heavenly Glow, Moody didn't give up hope. The rain which fell obviously suited her down to the ground. Galileo's Daughter, Magnifique Lass and Pentura went forward after Heavenly Glow missed the kick with Robert Thompson preferring to snag him across heels. Scott Seamer had Riva San back 2nd last at the 1200 and he gradually moved up at the 900. The fav got her tail as Riva was a sitting shot. Under pressure at the 400 she looked vulnerable and Dandee Topwin was squeezed out between HG and the winner. They'd all had enough on the line in the conditions but showing her depth she did exactly the same thing in the Derby to take the big double in a year when fillies won 3 Derbies.
• 2009 – PURPLE 3f (Commands x Lady Viola) ($4.50 fav)
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, Trainer: Peter Snowden
Barrier: 6, Weight: 55.5kg
Gross Time: 2:34.32, 600m Sectional: 37.91
Margin: 1.3L, Track: Slow, Starters: 19
2nd: Nothin' Leica Cat (55.5kg), 3rd: Walk In The Park (55.5kg)
Purple lapped up the wet going Photo by Racing and Sports Purple had shown a propensity to enjoy damp conditions but they were in weak races as a 2 and 3 year old. Her first couple this prep were not great but the track didn't suit and once they got to Rosehill on Slipper day, she jumped out of the ground leading all the way in the Vinery on the heavy. Looking to be outstayed at Randwick and then having the lead in run at Doomben, she still started fav on the back of massive downpour that had been occurring in Brisbane. Kerrin got her into a forward position without leading. While all the kiwi fillies were favoured, McEvoy didn't panic, hit the front before the bend and cleared out, leaving it to others to run home without looking likely. She came back in the Spring and stepped up a level going close in a Sandown Classic.
Miss Keepsake came from a long way back to just get up Photo by Racing and Sports Andrew Scott had long been part of the Matamata connection which included his association with Mike Moroney. And after learning from all them he was training by himself. He saw enough after only four starts up to a mile that she would stay and so brought her to Queensland to qualify for the Oaks. The best way they thought was winning some Sunday 1800s at Caloundra. Despite a lack of impression on viewers, she scraped into the Oaks. The G1 was marred by controversy from the start when fav Dariana reared and got stuck in the stalls. It was potentially a very dangerous situation because if they couldn't get her out, where would the field go second time around. Chris Munce lobbed along on the fence back beyond midfield. Seeking his fourth Oaks win, he kept pursuing rails runs. Maheta, ironically for Moroney, looked the winner but the kiwi filly flew late and ran then down. She'd back it up well placing in the Derby a week later.
RACE PROFILE
o Except for 2009, there's been a distinct lack of black type winning form for recent Oaks winners. Makes you think it's more of a consolation prize. A lot of the form lead ins are either placings or class grade staying events.
o Barriers haven't been that important but that can depend on track conditions as many have swept wide to win like last year.
o Interstate and NZ trainers have had a field day. Mon Mekki only local horse to win for yonks.
o The Zabeel and Danehill influence is strong. Last 16 Zabeel has 3 wins, Danehill two.
o Some of the great bloodlines have been re-established with the Denise's Joy lineage from Joie Denise, Naturalism's sister Crystal Palace winning and Romanee Conti was a top quality mare before producing Ethereal.
o Last 10 Years Winningest Barrier Range <1-4> - 4 times
o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner – $17
o Last 15 Years Doomben Roses / QTC Oaks double – Ethereal ('01)
o Last 15 Years Vinery Stud Stks / QTC Oaks double – Purple ('09)
SUMMARY & SELECTIONS
Sometimes the Oaks up north throws up a nice distance filly. Ethereal is just one that brings back happy memories.
Graeme Rogerson may end up with another nice link to his Cox Plate winner
By the time we get to the month of June, these horses are nearing maturity and as such can run along, sustaining the mile and a half.
Savannah's Choice, Fillydelphia and some of those considered to be outsiders might be the go forward runners.
The Roses often throws up the right form line and the other reference is the kiwis love this race too. Combine them and we get Scarlett Lady.
She was good against older mares in decent races back home and transferring that to fillies class saw her dominant at Doomben.
Everything points to her easily getting the trip as long as she gets luck early but James McDonald is in great form.
The main danger could end up another NZ girl Shez Sinsational. She scored on the same day at Te Rapa and while beaten last time it was on a bottomless track with the first two clearing out by panels.
The gate seems perfect as she likes to race near the speed and might just camp on the leaders.
The other horse that can't be denied its place here is Heidilicious. She is drawn out but that might help her with those barrier issues we witnessed last time.
She is perfectly suited on breeding alone over the 2400m and might be strong on the line if not giving away too much ground from the gate.
One that is a roughie with a place chance is Savannah's Choice. Clearly it is the distance which brought her into the contest in the Roses and she might have a nice run in transit again over a longer journey.
