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Trainer Kris Lees has drawn a parallel with his past classic winner Vitesse Dane to give Rustic Melody a real Queensland Oaks chance at Doomben on Saturday.

Rustic Melody’s awkward draw hasn’t dimmed her trainer’s confidence that she will run well in the $500,000 Group 1 over 2200m rather than the traditional 2400m because of the transfer from Eagle Farm.

The consistent Snitzel filly drew barrier 17 in the capacity field but will come into 12 if the five emergencies do not secure starts. James McDonald rides her in the fillies’ classic.

Rustic Melody was floated to the Gold Coast from Newcastle on Wednesday night.

“Naturally, we would have preferred to have drawn in closer, but it is what it is,” Lees said.

“A number of the fancied runners have drawn wide, and there looks to be a fair bit of pace in the race.

“It appears to be one of the better Queensland Oaks in recent years, but I certainly haven’t sold out because of the draw. I’m sure she will be competitive.”

Lees won the 2005 Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm with Vitesse Dane, who drew barrier three and backed up a week later when an unlucky third against the “boys” in the Queensland Derby over the same course.

Lachlan River won that year’s Derby, when only two fillies were in the 20-strong line-up. The other filly, Prize Lady, ran eighth.

“There are similarities between Rustic Melody and Vitesse Dane,” Lees said. “They both kept improving at the right time.

“The only difference is that Vitesse Dane was especially set for Queensland. Rustic Melody ran in the ATC Oaks and then we decided to go on to Brisbane.”

Lees has nominated the filly for next Saturday’s $600,000 Queensland Derby – also at Doomben over 2200m – but has not yet committed her to a back-up.

“Her performance in the Oaks will determine if she runs again a week later. Quite obviously, she would need to run really well this weekend.”

Rustic Melody, following a runaway Scone 1600m victory in restricted class, stepped up to the plate when an excellent second to Candelara in the G3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 6.

She then backed up only five days later and again ran well, finishing fourth to Gust Of Wind in the G1 ATC Oaks (2400m) at the same track.

Lees then freshened the filly and she just failed to overhaul subsequent winner High Midnight – a Queensland Derby contender - over 1900m at Rosehill on May 9 after being held up for a run approaching the home turn and losing her momentum.