A field of 14 fillies will lineup at Eagle Farm on Saturday for the return of the Group 1 Queensland Oaks.
The three-year-old classic was canceled last year due to the pandemic, and it is no surprise to find the final acceptances dominated by six entries from the Chris Waller stable.
Grace and Harmony looks to be Waller’s best chance at claiming a fourth Queensland Oaks, but she’ll need to bring her best with the Mark Newnham-trained Bargain lining up from an ideal gate.
With $600,000 on the line, be sure to read our thoughts on each and every runner in our 2021 Queensland Oaks Preview here!
Duais
Duais was installed as the Oaks favourite after running second to Hungry Heart in the ATC Oaks at Randwick earlier in April, but Tuesday’s barrier draw has since left Edward Cummings’ filly on the drift.
The daughter of Shamus Award finds herself as the second-elect to Bargain at time of publish after drawing barrier 12, but that isn’t to say she can’t go on and win in her return to the track.
The talented three-year-old has been kept fresh for her second Group 1 start and has clearly shown enough to suggest she can win a race of this quality.
Hugh Bowman has proven the difference on her since jumping into the saddle three runs back and if he can offset the wide draw nice and early, the pair should be right in the finish.
Media Award
Media Award is shooting for an Oaks double after taking out the South Australian Oaks just over a month ago with a bursting run from well-back.
The filly by Shamus Award is the only Group 1 winner in Saturday’s field and could again be over the odds after saluting at Morphettville at 60-1.
Like a few others, she tends to do her best work fresh and the rise to 2200m looks to be ideal for her at this stage of her campaign.
Bargain
Bargain has been making real headway towards another win and is looking to break a recent run of placings that dates back to a runner-up to Duais in the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes at Randwick.
Mark Newnham’s filly has since gone on to run third behind the same horse in the ATC Oaks, followed by an impressive second to Saturday’s rival Only Words in The Roses at Doomben two weeks ago.
The form out of those three races reads well for this contest, while barrier 4 should allow Josh Parr to settle well off the speed.
Getting out to a wider track like Eagle Farm makes her tough to beat.
Only Words
Only Words was simply sensational two weeks ago at Doomben where she won the traditional Oaks lead-up race, The Roses, by over a length to Saturday’s rival Bargain.
She has shown a tendency to over-race at times throughout her career but has definitely improved with racing this time in.
Like Duais, the barrier makes life tricky for Craig Williams, but after showing a real turn of foot last time out, the pair are certainly worth including in your numbers.
Easifar
Easifar has been a fairly consistent customer since debuting at Kensington last spring.
She’s found the money in five of her 10 starts to date and was also the winner of the Listed Princess Stakes at Doomben earlier in April.
The Pride of Dubai filly actually looked the winner at one point in The Roses last time out but just weakened late to run a respectable fourth.
She is a slight query over further but does represent each-way value with some consistency and fitness on her side.
Grace and Harmony
Grace and Harmony looks the likely improver in the Queensland Oaks coming off an eye-catching sixth last time out in The Roses.
Before that, Chris Waller’s filly scored her hat-trick with a comfortable win in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet – a performance that suggested she is capable of winning over further after winding up with a big run from the rear.
James McDonald has had plenty of work to do from wide draws in her last two starts, but he should be able to settle somewhere towards midfield from barrier 3.
This is her toughest assignment, but with even luck, she does look a serious danger to the favourites.
Good Soize
Good Soize was making real headway towards another win before failing to fire up to 2000m for the first time in The Roses.
Her two runs prior for fourth in the Listed Princes Stakes at Doomben and the Gold Coast Bracelet were both full of merit however, so she could be worth forgiving after drawing inside.
Charms Star
Charms Star is having her second run back after finding the line for third in The Roses at Doomben a fortnight ago.
Chris Waller’s filly bolted in to find the money that day after getting back in the run, and she’ll likely take a similar sit here with Kerrin McEvoy retaining the ride.
The three-year-old has returned a place in each of her last three starts and is no doubt one of the better value plays on Saturday.
Rebel Rama
Rebel Rama has made the journey to Queensland following a last start win in a Benchmark 72 at Rosehill.
The filly by Dissident has been up for a while, but she has held her form to land in the money in five of her eight starts this campaign.
This is a rise in class however, so she can’t be recommended for anything more than a place.
Signora Nera
Signora Nera has flashed potential in her last two starts since making the journey up to Queensland.
Her performance two runs back for second in the Gold Coast Bracelet reads well for this, while she also made up a stack of ground for fifth last time out in The Roses to finish only 3.5L off Only Words.
Signora Rosa raced over 2400m three runs back at Randwick, so maybe 2200m will be the happy medium for her.
Splendiferous
Splendiferous turned her maiden win at Newcastle into a hat-trick two runs back at Wagga before struggling up in class in The Roses at Doomben.
She did have plenty of work to do that day from a wide draw, but this is tougher.
Yatton
Yatton opened her autumn the clear winner at Sale over much shorter, but she has failed to go on with it since finishing well down the straight in the Gold Coast Bracelet and The Roses.
Cannot recommend.
Ruru
Ruru follows a similar script to Yatton off two disappointing lead-up runs in the Gold Coast Bracelet and The Roses.
The wide draw only makes things tougher.
Mishani Whisper
Mishani Whisper is still in search of her maiden after debuting on the Sunshine Coast for third earlier in March.
Looks severely outclassed in what is a serious step up in grade.
Queensland Oaks Tips
Duais at $5.50
