104 fillies and mares have been included in nominations for the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Day 2 of The Championships, highlighted by several of the 2015 Autumn Carnival’s most exciting racing prospects.

Cosmic Endeavour leads Gai Waterhouse’s 11 Queen Of The Turf Stakes nominations. Photo: Daniel Costello

Gai Waterhouse saddled rank outsider Diamond Drille to a shock victory in the 2014 edition of the Queen Of The Turf Stakes, and has included a total of 14 potential prospects in nominations for her title defence, including the likes of Cosmic Endeavour, Forever Loved and three-year-old Twirl.

Claiming six race wins and a further two minor places from her 13 competitive starts so far, Cosmic Endeavour undoubtedly found career-best form to date over her 2014 preparation and is a leading chances for success in the 2015 Queen Of The Turf Stakes.

Steadily building to the task upon resuming in autumn, Cosmic Endeavour ran fourth in the Listed Darby Munro Open (1200m) on March 29^th; progressing to a close second in the Group 3 PJ Bell Stakes (1200m) before taking out the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) on April 19^th.

Booking a trip north when comfortably winning the $402,500 Inglis 3.y.o Guineas (1400m) at Scone on May 17^th, the Northern Meteor mare jogged home to win the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) in Brisbane on June 7^th before breaking through for a maiden victory at the highest level in the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) on June 21^st.

Unable to secure much of a consistent run of form over spring despite posting several commendable results, Forever Loved has reportedly taken well to her time in the paddock and is primed for a successful campaign geared towards the 2015 Queen Of The Turf Stakes.

Running third in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and fourth in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) most notably over the 2014 autumn, Forever Loved returned to racing for a credible fourth in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) on August 30^th, and while unable to beat a single runner home in the Group 3 How Now Stakes (1200m), responded in the best way possible in taking out the Group 2 Blazer Stakes (1400m) with ease on October 4^th.

Interestingly yet to break through for a race win over her short career, Twirl displayed a scintillating turn of foot in a Randwick barrier trial on February 2^nd and may figure as a genuine light-weight chance in the 2015 Queen Of The Turf Stakes.

Running third behind subsequent Golden Slipper champion Mossfun in the Group 3 Widden Stakes (1100m) in February 2014, the daughter of Lonhro place second by the bob of a head in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) and returned to the paddock following a disappointing run for sixth in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) in late March.

Particularly unlucky not to secure a race win over an impressive 2014 spring campaign, Royal Descent headlines a team of eleven entered by trainer Chris Waller in 2015 Queen Of The Turf Stakes nominations which also includes Catkins.

A Group 1 winner, having taken out the 2013 edition of the Australian Oaks, Royal Descent finished a close second to Sacred Falls in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) most notably over the 2014 Autumn Carnival; returning to the paddock following a credible fifth in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) just one week later.

Finishing second in each of the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m), Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m), Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) most notably over her five start spring preparation, the Redoute’s Choice mare will be set for the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.

Placing outside the top three only a handful of times through her 28 start career, Catkins amazingly is yet to break through for a Group 1 victory, but appears primed for another successful carnival after taking out the Group 2 Breeders’ Classic (1200m) first-up over the weekend.

2015 Queen Of The Turf Stakes Nominations