The Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival marches on this Saturday at Eagle Farm with the running of the Group 1 Queensland Oaks between the three-year-olds.
A quality field of 14 fillies will line up with $600,000 on the line, while the Group 2 Moreton Cup also shapes as a fascinating betting race between the sprinters.
For our thoughts on the entire program, scroll through our 2021 Queensland Oaks Day Preview below.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – 11:29AM – Benchmark 80 Handicap, (1810m)
Cellarmaid can be forgiven on her last start fifth at Doomben over further.
Kelly Schweida’s mare found the tempo not to her liking that day finishing four lengths off Saturday’s rival Prince Of Arragon, but I think she can turn the tables here back in trip.
The four-year-old placed on a very wet track on the Gold Coast two back and wasn’t bad behind Olmedo in the Tails Stakes at Doomben. She’s found the money in all four of her starts at Eagle Farm and any rain about would strengthen her chances.
Race 2 – 12:04PM – Listed Authentic Security The Phoenix, (1500m)
Cape Breton flew home to win on debut at Canterbury last week thanks to a brilliant steer from James McDonald.
The pair will link up again on the quick backup, and although he only won narrowly first-up, there is a big watch on the Chris Waller-trained colt.
The son of Vancouver can definitely improve on his first assignment and the fact he’s on the short turnaround suggests he’s pulled up a treat.
Race 3 – 12:39pm – Captain Morgan Tropical QTIS Gold Jewel, (1300m)
We’ve got a few familiar faces lining up in the Gold Jewel, but I can’t get away from Red Chase atop the market.
I was a big fan of him throughout the spring when he won over a similar distance at Doomben before placing in the Listed Tatts Recognition Stakes, and although he’s returned only a couple of fair efforts this time in work, this race appears in his wheelhouse back in grade.
The five-year-old also showed some real signs of improvement last time out in a very competitive BRC Sprint finishing just 3.5L off Emerald Kingdom.
He made up some good ground late in that race, and from a pretty soft draw, this looks his to lose.
Race 4 – 1:14pm – Listed Grinders Coffee Lightning Handicap, (1000m)
Boomtown Lass is a mare that flies fresh and I’d be very surprised if she isn’t fighting out the finish.
The five-year-old by Spirit Of Boom was the model of consistency during the spring finding the money in all five of her starts, while she’s also returns a place in all six of her previous assignments when racing fresh.
Her trial last last month at Doomben was full of merit and she’s also got the runs on the board at Eagle Farm.
Race 5 – 1:53pm – Group 2 Moreton Cup, (1200m)
This is an outstanding edition of the Moreton Cup, but it should be Splintex’s to lose if dual acceptor Varda lines up in the Lightning.
The son of Snitzel was outstanding two back in the Hall Mark Stakes at Randwick, but he struggled for luck last time out in the Doomben 10,000 on the wet track.
He should appreciate a firmer surface and this is obviously a much easier race dropping back in grade. With little speed on offer, he’s likely to lead all the way.
Race 6 – 2:33pm – Listed Nuturf Spear Chief Handicap, (1500m)
Luvoir has been around the mark of late after resuming to win comfortably at Hawkesbury earlier in April.
He finished only a length off Reloaded in the Members’ Handicap at Doomben over the mile two back, while his late dash for third behind Profit and Grand Piano at Eagle Farm last week was also super impressive.
The 1500m might just be the happy medium for him now and the fact he gets 2kg off on a short backup is also a huge plus.
Race 7 – 3:13pm – Magic Millions National Classic, (1600m)
You’d be mad to ignore the odds on offer for Nudge after the way she finished off in the Group 3 Paul O’Neill Stakes at Doomben two weeks ago.
Chris Waller’s mare produced something very special from well back to storm the line late, and if she can find clear running room down the straight again, I think her turn of foot will do the talking.
The barrier does leave Kerrin McEvoy with a bit of a job at hand, but the class she’s shown throughout the autumn should hold up in the Magic Millions National Classic (Queensland Sapphire Stakes).
Race 8 – 3:13pm – Group 1 Queensland Oaks, (2200m)
Chris Waller dominating the final acceptances makes this a tough Queensland Oaks field to dissect, but I’m happy to have the co-favourite Bargain on top after drawing all the favours in barrier 4.
The filly out of Ocean Park resumed to run second to Saturday’s rival Only Words in The Roses two weeks ago at Doomben, extending a recent run of placings that stretches back to her runner-up performance to Duais in the Adrian Knox at Randwick.
Her run for third behind Hungry Heart in the ATC Oaks will equally impressive, and it’s becoming clearer that she is a serious filly with ability.
Out to a wider track like Eagle Farm makes her hard to beat in this year’s Queensland Oaks.
Race 9 – 4:29pm – Listed Queensland Day Stakes, (1200m)
Georgie’s Pride looks a nice safe bet in the ‘get out’.
Desleigh Forster’s impressive filly picked up her hat-trick with another comfortable win over further at this same venue just over a month ago, while she’s also a proven performer over this distance with four wins on the board.
Jim Byrne will need to offset the wide gate if he wishes to lead like usual, but if the pair establish a spot up front, I think they can very easily make every post a winner again.
