Form analyst, RIC CHAPMAN, looks at every runner in Saturday’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks with horse racing tips for the first four. Read on to see how he maps and assesses the race. Good luck, punters!
Eagle Farm R8 – $600k G1 Â Queensland Oaks (3YO fillies) 2200m
1. DUAIS (12) 25×1282112
T: Ed Cummings /J: Hugh Bowman (56.5kg)
What a potential superstar. She can run all day and is extremely honest. Will settle close enough, probably in 5th, and Hughie will have to find a way to slot in, which he is good at. If she does. She goes very close. Ran 2nd in the Gr 1 ATC Oaks over 2400m.
2. MEDIA AWARD (5) 823×111
T: Chris Calthorpe / J: John Allen. (56.5kg)
Classy galloper who may actually be a rising superstar. In just 5 weeks progressed from a runaway Kyneton maiden win over 1479m to winning at Gr 1 level in the Australian Oaks over 2000m last start coming with a powerful run from well back on the bend. Up a little further in trip here but that may well be in her favour. Big show.
3. BARGAIN (4) 17×9164232
T: Mark Newnham / J: Josh Parr (56.5kg)
Class galloper and is very strong late. Does look one of the main hopes based on the way she can rise to this level and still produce a powerful finishing burst. Ran 2nd to Duais in the Gr 3 Adrian Knox over 2000m, then was a strong 3rd in the Gr 1 ATC Oaks over 2400m. Last start, again rattled home from the rear when 2nd to Only Words in The Roses over 2000m. That’s a great lead-up race.
4. ONLY WORDS (13) 11×6561931
T: Chris Waller / J: Craig Williams (56.5kg)
This filly looks to be very smart and continually on the improve. Chased home rival here Grace and Harmony at the Gold Coast in the Bracelet then looked awesome when dashing away with the Roses over 2000m. Is going to love this bigger track. Sure to be handy for a long time.
5. EASIFAR (10) 314×140154
T: Chris Waller / J: Luke Dittman (56.5kg)
Good filly with staying talent. But will find this grade tough as she does like to be on pace and the trip may test. Led and was run down late when 4th to stablemate Only Words last start in The Roses over 2000m.
6. GRACE AND HARMONY (3) 53×1116
T: Chris Waller / J: James Mcdonald (56.5kg)
Interesting galloper. Looks to be a star in the making. After finishing like a train to comfortably win the 1800m Bracelet beating a few of these, she struggled to find that same finishing burst when 6th to Only Words. Did make a lot of ground late though. Can atone.
7. GOOD SOIZE (1) 3121×440
T: Tony Gollan / J: Ryan Maloney (56.5kg)
Strong galloper who was coming along very nicely for this until last start when flat out disappointing and 11th in The Roses. That run was too bad to be true. Place.
8. CHARMS STAR (6) 02551622×3
T: Chris Waller/ J: Kerrin McEvoy (56.5kg)
This might be the big priced dark horse. She is very strong and is getting better with racing. Originally from New Zealand where she has great form. At Aussie debut last start made noticeable ground late when 3rd to the smart Only Words in The Roses. Can only be getting better with that experience and can stay.
9. REBEL RAMA (8) 4×44236131
T: Marc Conners / J: Mikayla Weir (56.5kg)
Is interesting. Came home hard to win a good lead-up to this last start and clearly she can stay. What a great fairytale story of young Mikayla Weir can land the cash. Just out of her apprenticeship and riding in her very first Gr 1 race. And she is a live chance. This filly can run. Big show.
10. SIGNORA NERA (7) 1136655625
T: Chris Waller / J: Opie Bosson (56.5kg)
Tough, solid type who will develop into a handy stayer and last start did hit the line with gusto when 5th in The Roses. So she can run at this level. Bred to stay all day and not the roughest here.
11. SPLENDIFEROUS (2) 7x550x1110
T: Gai waterhouse & Adrian Bott /J: Nash Rawiller (56.5kg)
Is another handy stayer who likes to be on speed. If she does that here she may get smashed at this level. After winning three on the bounce and looking a genuine threat she folded very badly last against a few of these.
12. YATTON (11) 34408×1580
T: Michael Moroney / J: Ben Thompson (56.5kg)
Good stayer in the making but this may be a tad too stough. Did run 8th in the Gr 1 VRC Oaks, but was beaten 20 lengths and last start was average through the line when 10 in the Gr 2 The Roses over 2000m. Not keen.
13. RURU (14) 71×901108
T: Chris Waller / J: Glen Boss (56.5kg)
Got back and tried to work home between runners when a plodding 8th last start in the 2000m The roses at Gr 2 level. Past couple though have been below this standard.
14. MISHANI WHISPER (9) 3390
T: Kelly Purdy / J: James Orman (56.5kg)
Maiden who will get lapped by a few of these. No hope.
