The Queensland Oaks is the feature race in Australia on Saturday and the question is can they beat the favourite Fireburn?
A field of 18 plus five emergencies have been declared for the $700,000 Eagle Farm Group 1 over 2200m at set weights.
Most of the runners come through the traditional lead-up races, the Gold Coast Bracelet and Doomben Roses.
Since 2010, the Doomben Roses has produced six winners, the Gold Coast Bracelet produced last year’s winner, Gypsy Goddess, while one winner has also come via the Australasian Oaks.
Here is the runner-by-runner form analysis of the Queensland Oaks.
1 – FIREBURN
Class act which has raced against the best of her age and sex for much of her career. Without winning, she wasn’t far away against the best fillies around in five runs during the Sydney autumn then she proved too classy for many of these in the Doomben Roses over 2000m. Strong late last time so 2200m looks within reach and hard to beat with luck from the draw.
VERDICT: Deserves to be favourite.
A masterclass from Jason Collett on Fireburn in the Group 2 The Roses for @GaryPortelli! ????
Onwards to the Queensland Oaks. pic.twitter.com/xl8Lp1YoMB
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 20, 2023
2 – AFFAIRE A SUIVRE
Lightly raced filly which has been impressive winning her past three and in doing so going from Maiden to Group 1 grade. Huge performance last start to win the Australasian Oaks when three and four wide for much of the trip. With a bit of luck in running the 2200m should be within reach and you have to respect the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace team when they combine with John Allen.
VERDICT: A genuine contender.
AFFAIRE A SUIVRE WINS THE AUSTRALASIAN OAKS! ????
IT’S JOHN ALLEN AND THE MAHER & EUSTACE TEAM. @cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/HSBax1BAfL
— 7HorseRacing ???? (@7horseracing) April 29, 2023
3 – RENAISSANCE WOMAN
Talented filly which was good winning the Gold Coast Bracelet two starts back before a brave second to Fireburn in the Doomben Roses. She was held up coming to the home turn last time but the winner ran away from her late and in the spring she didn’t stay in the Oaks. Drawn to get every chance.
VERDICT: Genuine place chance but hard to see her turning the tables on Fireburn.
Renaissance Woman takes home the Gold Bracelet.
That’s a running-double for @JoshuaParr8@BBakerRacingpic.twitter.com/jMFsNSVvUe
— 7HorseRacing ???? (@7horseracing) May 6, 2023
4 – SO DAZZLING
She jumped out of the ground two starts back on a soft (7) when second in the Group 1 Australian Oaks at Randwick after finishing down the track at her prior start in the Vinery Stud Stakes on a good (4). Then in her first Queensland run she was again only average on a good (4) in the Rough Habit Plate. Drawn OK but needs to lift.
VERDICT: Wet tracker?
The New Zealander gets it done! ????????????
Pennyweka becomes a dual Oaks winner ???????? pic.twitter.com/6SwlzrgDdv
— 7HorseRacing ???? (@7horseracing) April 8, 2023
5 – TYRESA
She’s been struggling to keep up at Stakes level in three runs this preparation, the latest when down the track in the Doomben Roses with no excuses. Drawn OK but all her best form is over sprinting trips.
VERDICT: Not going well enough to be seriously considered.
6 – NOAH ‘N’ A DEEL
Bred to get over ground and is a winner over 1700m and 1800m but her three runs this preparation have not been good enough to trouble the scorer here. She did run on a bit, passing a few stragglers late last time in the Doomben Roses but she was a long way from the winner. Drawn to get the right run.
VERDICT: Likely to stay but doubt she’ll do it fast enough.
Noah ‘N’ A Deel gets the money! ????
Sean Cormack with the prefect ride for Les Kelly pic.twitter.com/Kjflgrqp3z
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 19, 2022
7 – SAKURA GIRL
Kiwi filly that is her own worst enemy. Overraced and folded in the New Zealand Oaks then in her first Australian start it was a similar story, overdoing it in the first half of the race before being outstayed late by Fireburn and Renaissance Woman in the Doomben Roses. Got no favours in the barrier draw when drawing the carpark – how will they ride her?
VERDICT: Her racing manners need to improve if she’s to figure.
A great day for Ben Foote and Kozzi Asano as they get another win together with Sakura Girl taking out the G3 Sunlive Vase pic.twitter.com/AMdyJxW6zE
— TAB Racing (@TAB_Racing) March 4, 2023
8 – SUPER CHILLED
Found the line when safely held last start in the Doomben Roses. The way she finished off gave the impression she’ll be suited stepping up to 2200m but the worry is she’s drawn a horror barrier (18). Has the services of James McDonald and will need a bloody good ride from the gate.
VERDICT: Has each-way prospects, preferring her place chances.
9 – MADAME ODETTE
This filly could be a big improver off her seventh placed finish in the Doomben Roses where she was forced to do too much work through the middle stages of the race. Prior to that she was good, after getting too far back, in the Gold Coast Bracelet. Drawn to get all the favours.
VERDICT: Slight query at 2200m but could be a sharp improver with a soft run.
Street Gossip wins the Listed Princess Stakes in style!@mark_mnracing and @tomo_sherry combine for a double at @BrisRacingClub. pic.twitter.com/tDIPgNrGng
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 22, 2023
10 – LET ME REIGN
Comes here with different form after racing on the speed and beating the boys at Rosehill two weeks ago over 2000m. That win followed a respectable effort against the older horses in a race where both the winner and runner-up have won again in the city since. Gives the impression she’ll run the trip.
VERDICT: Might find a few of these too classy.
Let Me Reign gives Reece Jones a running-double at Rosehill! @CurtisRacingpic.twitter.com/QSw5SNtuyJ
— 7HorseRacing ???? (@7horseracing) May 20, 2023
11 – DIVINE PURPOSE
Being going around in midweek grade races where she’s found one or two better than her in her past two starts over 1800 and 2200m. Had no excuses last time out at Ipswich on the heavy track and that form didn’t stack up last week in the Queensland Derby.
VERDICT: Not good enough.
A free rolling Mishani Spartan makes every post a winner!
Boris Thorton with a nice front running ride for Les Ross. pic.twitter.com/LO5XHeEAX4
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 3, 2023
12 – PROSCENIUM ARCH
Raced on the speed and was no match over the final stages in the Australasian Oaks then last time out got back and worked home as well as anything other than the winner Fireburn in the Doomben Roses after racing wide throughout. Drawn to get a good run this time and should run the trip.
VERDICT: One of the better chances outside of the favourite.
13 – ORIGINAL GLAZE
Steps up sharply in grade after winning a class 3 over 1650m at Beaudesert and finishing second over 1710m at Ipswich last time out. Was found out three starts ago when well beaten in the Listed Princess Stakes. Good barrier but big class query.
VERDICT: Outclassed here.
Original Glaze goes back to back!@GCartwright93 with a nice steer for Trevor Lambourn. pic.twitter.com/yb7dptn5Ak
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2023
14 – CHEVAL D’OR
Comes through New Zealand form references but her form ties into Sakura Girl and last week’s Queensland Derby runner Arby. Three starts back she closed off strongly behind Sakura Girl in the Sunline Vase (2100m) on a good track then was a dominant winner last time over 2100m on a heavy surface in the Group 3 Championship Stakes (2100m). Wide draw (20) to overcome but will stay.
VERDICT: Can give a sight with luck from the draw.
Cheval D’or laps up the wet conditions and the staying trip to claim the Gr.3 Trelawney Stud Championships Stakes for trainer Tony Pike and brings up a stakes race double for leading hoop @McnabMjmcnab ???????????? pic.twitter.com/PAMBgBADIB
— LOVERACING.NZ (@LOVERACINGNZ) April 22, 2023
15 – REO
Strung three wins together in Victoria before stepping up in grade and appearing to have every chance when well beaten in the Doomben Roses. In that run she was stepping up from 1500 to 2000m so open to some improvement but the 2200m is a big query.
VERDICT: This looks too strong.
#REO 3F ????????Rubick???????? x Elliptical Orbit (Scat Daddy) makes it 3 wins from 4 race starts over 1500m at Sandown Hillside Vic for Cranbourne Tr @RichardLaming1 Racing & Jk #ThomasStockdale ..????????#RUBICK???????? @SwettenhamStud ???????? pic.twitter.com/iJtzLXWX5L
— Swettenham Stud (@SwettenhamStud) April 19, 2023
16 – YANKEE HUSSEL
Closed off better than most when fifth in the Doomben Roses last start after getting too far back in the run. Drawn a mid-barrier (9) for this assignment and her last two runs, in the strong form races, have had merit. This trip looks within reach.
VERDICT: Best roughie in the race.
17 – AMOKURA
The X-factor runner in the race. Won her maiden by 8-3/4 lengths at Newcastle over 1850m two starts back then last time in a class 1 handicap over 1800m, she again did the job with plenty in hand. Gives every impression she’ll stay the 2200m and who knows where her bottom is. The booking of Damien Oliver is a positive and she’s drawn barrier 1.
VERDICT: Could be the biggest danger to the favourite.
It’s a pity this filly will likely miss a Qld Oaks start
Amokura has relished the dist increase her past couple
Arrogant 9L win two ago at Newcastle (maiden) before another strong win on Sunday – taking on some older horses in a C1 (1800M) Sun Ct
Sire is Kermadec@Leesracingpic.twitter.com/RJZBs1rAPV— STEVE HEWLETT ???????? ????????????♂️????♀️ (@stevejoseph69) May 23, 2023
18 – CARING LASS
Broke through last time in a much easier class 1/maiden plate at Gosford after being well beaten in the same grade at Wyong in the previous run. Those starts were over 2100m and she has to overcome a wide barrier draw of 19.
VERDICT: Not good enough.
19e – FIREFLIES
Tried hard but couldn’t reel in the winner in a Benchmark 58 handicap over 2110m at Lismore last start.
VERDICT: Doubt her form is good enough to win a Queensland Oaks.
20e – KALEA
Ran third but was well beaten in a Class 1 Plate at Ipswich last time out and she was safely held at the track the start prior.
VERDICT: Making up numbers if she gets a run.
21e – ROCKBARTON ROAD
Comes through Southern NSW form races including the Wagga Guineas where she was beaten 2-3/4 lengths by the talented Smartawi, unplaced in the Queensland Derby, and Arts Object, who was unplaced in the Doomben Roses. Beaten over 2000m last time in a Benchmark 60 at Canberra.
VERDICT: Has better prospects than most of the other emergencies but would still be making up numbers.
22e – CALIFORNIA GRASS
Was beaten less than two lengths in a Midway Handicap at the Hawkesbury stand alone meeting three back then last time out broke through to win her maiden in a Newcastle Class 1/Maiden Plate over 2300m. She wouldn’t be the worst if she got a run.
VERDICT: One for the exotics if she got a run.
23e – ARTFUL GIRL
Struck her first blow at start six last time out at Toowoomba in a Maiden Plate over 2150m. Made good ground to finish behind the placegetters at her prior run too over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast.
VERDICT: Trip suits but the class will be above her.
TIPS
AMOKURA (No. 17)
FIREBURN (No. 1)
AFFAIRE A SUIVRE (No. 2)
PROSCENIUM ARCH (No. 12)