3 minute read

It is Oaks day at Eagle Farm as they run the classic for the fillies and a few stats could show up the winner.

Queensland Oaks (G1 3yo F SW 2200m)

• First Running: 1951 (won by Malt Maid).
• Course: Eagle Farm. Run at Doomben 2015, 2017-19 during EF's absence.
• Distance: Staying at 2200m despite returning to Eagle Farm.
• Notable Winners: Evening Peal (1955), Bright Shadow (1968), Analie (1973), Denise's Joy (1976), Surround (1977), Lowan Star (1980), November Rain (1981), Bravery (1988), Triscay (1991), Royal Magic (1992), Slight Chance (1993), Joie Denise (1995), Arctic Scent (1996), Ethereal (2001), Eskimo Queen (2007), Riva San (2008), Winx (2015).
• Lead Ups: The main race is The Roses run a fortnight before with 12 of the last 20 coming through it.
• Of all the history of the Queensland Oaks, the fact it was the first of Winx 25 G1s and the second in the streak is of most consequence.
• Ethereal's Cup double the following Spring is a good second finisher though.
• Favourite Dariana stayed in the stalls in the 2010 Oaks but would win the Derby a week later.
• In very big fields, drawing inside 10 has been a positive as only 2 of the last 9 winners have had double figure draws.
• The Roses/Queensland Oaks double – Youngstar (2018), Scarlett Lady (2011), Ethereal (2001).
• Queensland Oaks/Caulfield Cup same year double – Ethereal (2001), Arctic Scent (1996).
• Denise's Joy won in 1976 and produced Joie Denise to win in 1995. She was also the great granddam of Miss Danehill who won in 1999.
• 2020 The Roses – Only Words (1st), Bargain (2nd), Charms Star (3rd), Easifar (4th), Signora Nera (5th), Grace And Harmony (6th), Ruru (8th), Yatton (10th), Good Soize (11th), Splendiferous (12th).
• 2020 Australian Oaks – Duais (2nd), Bargain (3rd), Signora Nera (6th).
• Chris Waller had 6 run in the Qld Derby (5 of the first 8 home) and he runs 6 in the Oaks.
• Leading Trainers: Tommy Smith (7), Neville Begg, Mick Kenny (4).
• Other Current Trainers with wins: Chris Waller (3), Clarry Conners (2), Gerald Ryan (2), Garry Newham (1), Tony Pike (1), Rex Lipp (1), Pat Carey (1), John Sargent (1), Graeme & Debbie Rogerson (1), Andrew Scott (1), Peter Snowden (1), Peter Moody (1), Mike Moroney (1), Kris Lees (1), Paul O'Sullivan (1), Sheila Laxon (1), Roger James (1), Lee Freedman (1), Gai Waterhouse (1), Stephen Autridge (1), Les Bridge (1), John Hawkes (1), John Wallace (1).
• Leading Jockeys: Chris Munce (4), Neil Birrer, Mick Dittman, Andy Tindall, Kerrin McEvoy (3).
• Other Current Jockeys with wins: Hugh Bowman (2), Matthew McGillivray (1), Leith Innes (1), Rhys McLeod (1), James McDonald (1), Paul Hammersley (1), Larry Cassidy (1).

Moreton Cup (G2 3yo+ SW&P 1200m)

• First Running: 1979 (won by Famoso Gris).
• Notable Winners: My Gold Hope (1982), Manuan (1984), Eye Of The Sky (1986), Vitalic (1989), Schillaci (1992), Hareeba (1996), Century Kid (2001). Ortensia (2009), Ball Of Muscle (2015), Deploy (2017).
• Was previously known as the QTC Cup.
• Pretty In Pink was disqualified from the 2019 win due to a positive.
• 2017 was the first running of the race under the title of the Moreton Cup. The Queensland Turf Club (QTC) merged with the Brisbane Racing Club in 2010.
• The race has been run at Eagle Farm every year with exception of 2015 when it was transferred to Doomben. Caloundra then hosted it in 2018 and it run at Doomben in 2019.
• Although giving the winner penalty free ballot exemption for the Stradbroke Handicap, no horse has won the QTC Cup/Stradbroke double, perhaps because of the short seven day time span between the two races.
• 3yos have won 5 times in 20 years (Wisdom Of Water).