Group 1 racing continues this Saturday at Eagle Farm with a capacity field of fillies stepping out in the Queensland Oaks.
The $700,000 staying test has attracted a strong crop of three-year-olds, including last week’s The Roses winner Barb Raider, Australian Oaks second place-getter Gypsy Goddess, and hat-trick hopeful, Aravene.
The Roses form has produced 12 of the last 16 winners of The Oaks, while Chris Waller is hoping to win the race for a fourth time with double-digit roughie, Smirk.
To help you find the winner, we’ve run the rule over the entire field, and our thoughts on the 2022 Queensland Oaks can be found below.
1. Barb Raider (11)
- Record: 12-5:3:2
- Track: 1:1-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Jerome Hunter
- Jockey: Craig Williams
- Odds: $10.00
On a quick backup after getting up to win The Roses right on the line last week thanks to a beautiful steer from Craig Williams. Previous run was equally as impressive just missing out in the Australasian Oaks at Morphettville up on speed. The rise to 2200m should suit based on both efforts and she just needs a touch of luck to go her way from a slightly awkward draw.
2. Gypsy Goddess (22)
- Record: 8-5:2:1
- Track: 2:2-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: David Vandyke
- Jockey: William Pyke
- Odds: $4.20
Impressive type that has found the money in all eight starts to date. Won well first-up at Eagle Farm over the mile and has since gone on to run placings in both the Vinery Stud Stakes and the ATC Oaks in Sydney. Resumed from a freshen-up on the Gold Coast a few weeks ago where she was seen making up enormous ground late from the tail. Has another job to do from out wide but class should carry her a long way. Expect her to be swooping in late with Willy Pike again in the saddle.
3. Glint Of Hope (14)
- Group 1’s: 1 (2022 Australian Oaks)
- Record: 9-2:3:3
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
- Jockey: Daniel Moor
- Odds: $14.00
Four weeks between runs since winning the Australasian Oaks with a late bursting run along the rail under Daniel Moor. Fended off a late challenge from Barb Raider to win narrowly on the line but will likely sit a little more prominent this time around after drawing wide. Far from disgraced over further in the VRC Oaks during the spring and rates as a definite each-way hope on another firm track.
4. Biscayne Bay (12)
- Record: 11-2:1:2
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
- Jockey: Mark Zahra
- Odds: $21.00
Finished off only fairly off a freshen-up last week in The Roses. Made up some ground to run sixth and had plenty of work to do after being caught four-wide. Faces a tougher challenge from an identical gate and is untried over 2200m. She did run a race in the VRC Oaks last year for third but has place appeal only.
5. Mokulua (5)
- Record: 14-1:2:3
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Clarry Conners
- Jockey: Nash Rawiller
- Odds: $21.00
Ran well last week in the Fred Best considering she had a stack of work to do from out wide. Has drawn much kinder on this occasion but was no match at this level in the Vinery Stud four runs back at Newcastle. 1400m out to 2200m makes her a genuine query.
6. Honeycreeper (20)
- Record: 12-3:1:5
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: James Cummings
- Jockey: Hugh Bowman
- Odds: $13.00
Back from a freshen-up following a complete forgive run in the Australian Oaks at Randwick last time out. The Godolphin filly missed the start that day and failed to produce her usual finish down the straight finishing five lengths off the winner. Has since had a trial to sharpen her up and she does tend to run a race fresh. Proven on all going and just needs a touch of luck to go her way from another awful draw.
7. Gin Martini (10)
- Record: 13:2-2-3
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: John Sargent
- Jockey: Robbie Dolan
- Odds: $26.00
Went straight to the front last week in The Roses and was only gunned down late running fourth. Ran to a similar pattern the start prior in the Gold Coast Bracelet and will likely make her own luck on speed once again. This is tougher, though.
8. Festival Dancer (19)
- Record: 17:4-1-3
- Track: 2:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Matthew Smith
- Jockey: Ben Thompson
- Odds: $81.00
Weakened late last week in The Roses coming off a freshen-up. Could run an improved race here on a shorter backup but this is much tougher up in grade from a very difficult ally.
9. Dynasties (15)
- Record: 7:2-2-1
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Peter and Paul Snowden
- Jockey: James McDonald
- Odds: $16.00
Returns to Queensland after struggling in heavy conditions at Rosehill last time out. Winner of the Gold Coast Bracelet the start prior but this does look a stiffer challenge rising in trip.
10. Verona (21)
- Record: 8:2-0-0
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
- Jockey: TBD
- Odds: $21.00
Won the Frank Packer Plate at Randwick last month and was good fresh in the Rough Habit over the track and trip a couple of weeks ago. Would probably appreciate some sting out of the track.
11. Belle Savoir (17)
- Record: 5:2-2-0
- Track: 1:0-1-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Nick Ryan
- Jockey: Ryan Maloney
- Odds: $9.50
Caught wide in The Roses last week but finished off exceptionally well for second behind Barb Raider. Will likely need to repeat that effort from a wide draw this time but she looks to be nearing her peak now. Fitter for four runs back and gets the winkers on for the first time now. How she handles the firmer track is the only query.
12. Aravene (6)
- Record: 6:3-0-0
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Caroline Jennings
- Jockey: Brett Pebble
- Odds: $4.40
Steps out in search of her hat-trick after winning well at Rosehill a couple of weeks ago. She was entitled to finish down the track that day after being caught wide in transit before unleashing with 200m to spare to win by 3L. Should handle 2200m based on that run and now gets Brett Pebble back on board, who was responsible for her win the start prior at Sandown. Rock-hard fit for three runs back and handles all going. One of the major players.
14. Smirk (16)
- Record: 6:2-1-2
- Track: 1:0-0-1
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Chris Waller
- Jockey: Tommy Berry
- Odds: $21.00
Made up good ground to run third in The Roses last week after being caught five-wide no cover. Has missed the money only once from six starts but would need to improve significantly to trouble some of these.
15. Teranga (7)
- Record: 4:2-1-0
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted
- Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
- Odds: $41.00
Two-from-four so far during her maiden prep and returns from a freshen-up after running a clear second in the Princess Stakes last month. Untested past the mile though and would prefer to watch.
16. Le Villi (7)
- Record:7:2-0-1
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Kris Lees
- Jockey: Tim Clark
- Odds: $18.00
Promising Kiwi import that ran on well last week in The Roses. Has raced over longer distances than this and has drawn to get a lovely run close to the rail. Worth including in multiples.
17. Rosie Impact (13)
- Record: 10:2-2-0
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Richard and Will Freedman
- Jockey: James Orman
- Odds: $201
On debut at Eagle Farm after spending most of her prep racing on wet tracks down in Sydney. Caught wide last time out at Rosehill and never really threatened. This is much harder.
18. Nom De Plume (1)
- Record: 8:2-2-1
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 1:1-0-0
- Trainer: Robbie Patterson
- Jockey: Craig Grylls
- Odds: $126
Won on the synthetic over this trip two back but was no match in The Roses last week. Looks outclassed.
Emergencies
19. Cupid’s Kiss (8)
20. Nyota (9)
21. Pioneer Lass (3)
22. Chayse ’N’ Tanya (18)
23. Savagal (4)
