Ana Royale disadvantaged with distance reduction in Queensland Oaks

Promising staying filly Ana Royale will be at a slight disadvantage in this Saturday’s Group 1 $500,000 Treasury Brisbane Queensland Oaks because of the reduction in distance from 2400m to 2200m as a result of it being transferred from Eagle Farm to Doomben.

Kenedna, above, is one of the main contenders for the Queensland Oaks at Doomben. Photo by Jenny Barnes.

Kenedna, above, is one of the main contenders for the Queensland Oaks at Doomben. Photo by Jenny Barnes.

Racing Queensland on Monday morning made the decision to transfer the Queensland Oaks meeting from the Eagle Farm to Doomben this Saturday following concerns that the troublesome Eagle Farm track was performing well below industry expectations.

Ana Royale is only one of a handful of fillies among the first acceptances for the Queensland Oaks that has raced at 2200m and further and showed her staying ability with a last start three lengths win in the Group 3 $175,000 SA Fillies Classic over 2500m at Morphettville on May 20.

The Anacheeva filly was also competitive over 2010m two starts back when she ran home from back in the field to finish third behind Egg Tart and Kenedna in the Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Oaks (registered as Australasian Oaks) at Morphettville on May 6.

While trainer Stuart Webb said that Ana Royale would be better suited over the traditional 2400m of the Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm, the Caulfield trainer is still giving her a great chance in the Group 1 classic for the fillies over the shorter distance.

“Probably would have rather the bigger Eagle Farm track over 2400m than coming back to 2200m at Doomben but I can’t do anything about it,” Webb told racing.com.

“She was highly effective in a Group 1 over 2000m two starts ago so it doesn’t dent my confidence at all.”

“She is in great order and in good form.”

The Darren Weir trained Parthesia is also among the first acceptors for the Queensland Oaks and is another filly who has performed well over the longer journeys and was running on at the end of the 2500m when second to Ana Royale in the SA Fillies Classic.

The Raise The Flag filly was also placed at her two previous starts over a staying distance for a third over 2400m in the Listed $150,000 Ladbrokes Galilee Series Final at Caulfield on April 8 followed by a second over 2800m in the Listed $200,000 VRC St Leger on April 25.

Weir also has the in-form Kenedna in contention for the Queensland Oaks and the Not A Single Doubt filly is coming off a tough win in the Group 2 $175,000 The Magic Millions Roses (2000m) at Doomben on May 20.

Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller also has a strong team heading towards the Queensland Oaks with Baysa, Cross Stitch, Dawn Wall, Egg Tart, Invincibella, Kirini and Oklahoma Girl all among the first acceptances.

Schweppes Oaks winner Egg Tart would be Waller’s leading contender while the promising Dawn Wall and Oklahoma Girl head into the Queensland Oaks on the back of some good form.

Dawn Wall has had one run in Queensland for a win in the Listed $125,000 Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 6 while Oklahoma Girl was only beaten a short neck when second to Kenedna in The Roses.

Early betting for the Queensland Oaks at Ladbrokes.com.au has Ana Royale as the second pick at $4.40 behind the $3.20 favourite Egg Tart while on the third line of betting is Kenedna at $4.80 ahead of Oaklahoma Girl at $8 and Dawn Wall at $8.50.

Market order for the Queensland Oaks at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.20 Egg Tart, $4.40 Ana Royale, $4.80 Kenedna, $8 Oaklahoma Girl, $8.50 Dawn Wall, $15 Baysa, $16 Parthesia, Shenandoah, $17 Bianca Cara, $21 Perilous Love, Pygmy, $26 Invincibella, Mia Rosa, $41 Cross Stitch, $67 Kirini, Lipstick Lover, Namib, Sharp Speedo, $101 Isn’t She Elegant, Miabla.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.