Trainer David Hayes is quietly confident about the chances of Star Fashion in the 2014 Queensland Oaks and believes that the 2400 metres is the only query for the talented filly in the Group 1 event at Eagle Farm tomorrow.
Star Fashion finished a narrow second behind May's Dream in the Australasian Oaks in Adelaide. Photo by: Jenny Barnes
Star Fashion has only scored one race win from 11 starts during her racing career, but has performed consistently at Group level since she made her debut during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival.
The Street Cry filly finished second in both the Listed Morphettville Guineas (1600m) and Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1610m) during her spring campaign and started her autumn preparation with a maiden race win at Geelong.
After failing to fire in the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1400m), Star Fashion was sent to Adelaide and finished fourth against the colts in the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) at Morphettville on April 12 before being narrowly denied a maiden win at Group 1 level behind May’s Dream in the Australasian Oaks (2000m) at the same venue a fortnight later and finishing second in the Listed Centaurea Stakes on May 10.
Hayes told Racing Ahead that he has been happy with the form of Star Fashion throughout this campaign and is confident that she is a genuine winning chance in the Queensland Oaks this weekend.
“She is really good,” Hayes said.
“In the Australasian Oaks she was narrowly beaten by a very good filly and against the mares she ran good a honest second.
“My only query is the mile and a half, but she has got there and thrived.
“She does relax early in her faces so fingers crossed.
“I am quietly confident.”
Star Fashion could still have two more runs during her winter campaign, with the filly also included in the nominations for the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) that will be held at Eagle Farm next weekend, but Hayes is already looking towards the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival and has races like the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) and Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) on the agenda for the rising four-year-old.
“I think that she will better as a four-year-old,” Hayes said.
“We will watch this mile and a half race and see the way that she performs in it.
“If she trotted up and won well we might run in the Derby, but if we didn’t I will probably give her a nice break and set her for a race like the Myer Classic or the Matriarch as a mare.”
Star Fashion is currently available at 2014 Queensland Oaks odds of $18; with Arabian Gold still a dominant favourite at a quote of $2.50.
