Group 1 racing returns to Doomben on Saturday and a capacity field of three-year-old fillies has been confirmed for the 2019 Queensland Oaks (2200m). Group 1 winner Princess Jenni has opened the favourite in Queensland Oaks betting, but she undoubtedly faces the toughest test of her career so far in a field that also includes the likes of Aliferous, Etana and Our Intrigue.
Online bookmaker Ladbrokes take a look at the sixteen confirmed starters and emergencies, and our 2019 Queensland Oaks preview can be found below.
Princess Jenni
Princess Jenni has returned to racing in outstanding form this time and is the one to beat in the Queensland Oaks. The talented daughter of High Chaparral dusted off the cobwebs with a fair effort to finish seventh in the Group 2 Kewney Stakes first-up in autumn and has since recorded three impressive wins in black type company, including the Group 1 Australasian Oaks last time out. She’s rock-hard fit and will take beating with Damien Oliver in the saddle again.
Aliferous
Alifierous has been a strong and consistent performer this season and looms as a live each-way chance of winning the Queensland Oaks. The Hinchinbrook filly won the Group 2 Adrian Knox Stakes before finishing fourth in the Group 1 Australian Oaks in autumn and returned from a freshen-up to finish second in the Group 2 The Roses a fortnight ago. She’ll strip fitter but will need luck from an awkward barrier (13).
Etana
Etana will carry winning form into the Queensland Oaks and is a leading chance of winning again. The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained filly has continued to improve with racing, but her performance to win The Roses a fortnight ago suggested that she has found peak condition. She has form around several of her major Queensland Oaks rivals and is drawn ideally (barrier 7).
Winning Ways
The Gold Coast-trained Winning Ways has returned several pleasing efforts this time and has place claims in the Queensland Oaks. Winning Ways scored three smart wins in succession, including the Listed Bracelet on her home track before finishing midfield in The Roses last time out.
Pinmedown
Pinmedown is one of two Kiwi raiders in the Queensland Oaks field and is another galloper that has place claims at a big price. The daughter of Pins won the Group 3 Sunline Vase at Ellerslie in March but finished down the order in the New Zealand Oaks. She returned to winning form in a lesser race in New Zealand but finished down the order again in The Roses last time out.
Rosendahl Red
Rosendahl Red has only been fair in far weaker races than this and has opened at triple figures in 2019 Queensland Oaks betting. She’s drawn wide and would need the majority of her rivals to perform poorly, to win.
Belle Roc
Belle Roc finished a credible fifth in The Roses last time out but is another filly that would need to improve noticeably to win the Queensland Oaks. The Rip Van Winkle filly finished third in the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic over a mile prior to her run in The Roses.
Welsh Legend
Welsh Legend has shown above-average ability this time in but will need everything to go her way in the Queensland Oaks after drawing barrier 20. The daughter of Camelot finished second behind quality galloper Wolfe in Sydney before arriving in Brisbane for third in The Roses. She’ll take improvement into this and the booking of Blake Shinn to ride is positive.
Dawson Diva
Dawson Diva is another filly that has opened at Queensland Oaks odds of $101. Her form simplay has not been up to scratch and it would take an enormous effort to be in the finish.
In Good Health
In Good Health won over 1850m at Newcastle a fortnight ago but would also need to improve noticeably to figure as any chance in the Queensland Oaks.
Dunlani
Victorian raider Dunlani has returned a number of eye-catching efforts, albeit in a weaker grade than this, but looks an each-way chance in the Queensland Oaks. The Matt Cumani-trained filly failed to fire in the Group 3 Auraria Stakes at Morphettville two starts back but scored a smart victory at Ladbrokes Park last time out. The rise in trip looks as though it will suit.
Angel Of Heaven
Angel Of Heaven has continued to improve with racing this time and looks ready to peak in the Queensland Oaks. The Kris Lees-trained filly worked home well to finish second against the boys in the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes last weekend and a repeat of that effort from her good draw would see her tough to beat on Saturday.
Savigne
Savigne faces a noticeable rise in class into the Queensland Oaks field, but is worthy of a shot in this company. The Ocean Park filly hasn’t finished outside of the places in her last five starts and was last seen winning a decent Canterbury race over 1900m last week.
Lady Cuvee
Lady Cuvee is the third of trainer Chris Waller’s Queensland Oaks contingent and looks the least likely to salute. The daughter of Savabeel finished a distant second behind Savigne at Canterbury last week.
Our Intrigue
Our Intrigue is the second New Zealand raider confirmed in the Queensland Oaks field and is a live chance of winning the race. Our Intrigue ran second in a strong Group 2 race in her homeland and while she clearly needed the run when seventh in the Gold Coast Bracelet, she completed her lead-up to this race by scoring a comfortable win over this trip at the Sunshine Coast. She’s rock-hard fit and looks the value in Queensland Oaks betting.
Duchess Lennox
Duchess Lennox is the final filly confirmed as a starter in the Queensland Oaks field and she will be ridden by top hoop James McDonald, should the first emergency not gain a start. She’s been a strong and consistent performer in easier races than this one but has drawn the extreme outside.
On The White Turf
On The White Turf is the first emergency in the Queensland Oaks field. The Richard & Michael Freedman-trained filly is an on-pacer and her hopes have probably been dashed after drawing barrier 16.
Itz Lily
Itz Lily is the second emergency for the 2019 Queensland Oaks but has returned several pleasing efforts this time and looks an each-way chance, should she gain a start.
Grand Bouquet
Grand Bouquet won on the Gold Coast last time out but looms solely as a knockout hope should she gain a start in the Queensland Oaks.
Mrs Madrid
Mrs Madrid is the fourth emergency for the 2019 Queensland Oaks and is unlikely to gain a start. Her form has been fair in far weaker company than this.
Re Edit
Re Edit is the fifth and final Queensland Oaks emergency runner. Her form in weaker races has been fair at best and she is unlikely to gain a start.