Robert Heathcote will aim promising staying filly Sea Red at the Queensland Oaks but says Brisbane-trained horses are at a disadvantage for their home town classic.

The filly scored her second win at Doomben on Saturday and Heathcote said he would be forced to continue with Sea Red’s campaign to qualify her for the Oaks.

“I am sure it is one of the reason we struggle to win our own Oaks. The difference in prize money gives the southern horses a big advantage,” Heathcote said.

“I have to qualify Sea Red now. By that I mean she has to get enough prize money now so she can even get in the Oaks field.”

Heathcote has been singing Sea Red’s praises since she broke her maiden by 4-1/2 lengths last month.

Sea Red confirmed Heathcote’s opinion when she won a Class 1 (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Sea Red ($2.80) came from barrier 13, sat deep at the back of the field and stormed home in the straight to win by almost five lengths.

Apprentice Cassie Schmidt believes the margin could have been greater had she pushed the filly.

Heathcote said having to push for prize money meant it limited the time Sea Red could have in the paddock before coming back for an Oaks preparation.

“That can make a difference. We start off behind the eight-ball but I have made it very clear she is the best chance I have ever had of winning the Oaks,” Heathcote added.

Sea Red will have her next start against Saturday company in a 1500m race at Eagle Farm on January 25.

The filly earned $11,050 for her midweek win in December and $8,450 for Saturday’s win with the Doomben meeting the secondary meeting to the Gold Coast Magic Millions day.

First prize money at a midweek Sydney meeting is $23,025.

The Gerald Ryan-trained Mon Mekki (2002) and John Wallace’s Mother Of Pearl (1982) are the only Queensland-trained winners of the Oaks (2400m) in the past 40 years.