Weekend Racing Recap – Saturday 6th June
Sometimes doing the form for big races, punters are inclined to look past the obvious, and this was the case with the 2026 Queensland Oaks. The Ciaron Maher trained filly Fireball Miss had put the writing on the board with and impressive win in the The Roses at Doomben two weeks prior, but many pundits looked behind her for fillies that may not have had all that much luck and so pundits were happy to risk Fireball Miss in the Queensland Oaks and she was sent out at the nice odds of $8.50.
The Chris Waller trained Panova was sent out a $4 favourite after coming into this off a Group 1 Australasian Oaks win at Morphettville at previous start. The Irish hoop Declan Bates retained the ride on Fireball Miss and as usual he was able to settle the filly back in the field early and got some cover. Unlike in The Roses where he weaved a passage back inside to win, he came wide to middle track soon after straightening and when she burst to the front at 200m she put the race beyond doubt and ran away for a soft win.
The favourite Panova did not have the best of luck when held-up early in the straight but when she did finally get the gap last 200m she chased home hard into a valiant second spot. The early leader Paltrow Miss was beautifully rated in front by Craig Williams but she could not hold off the late challenge and had to settle for brave minor placing.
The consistent Queensland trained Uncommon James ($4.20) returned to the winners stall with a tough on pace win in the Moreton Cup beating the well-supported Oak Hill with Manaal filling the minor placing.
The Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott trained Surfin’ Bird was well supported in the Magic Millions National Classic and she held on bravely to win over the mile giving Tim Clark another Group 2 victory.