Melbourne Cup winning trainer Mike Moroney is happy with Alaskan Rose’s lead up preparation for the Group 1 $500,000 Treasury Casino & Hotel Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Trainer Mike Moroney, above, is happy with the lead up preparation of Alaskan Rose for the Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm. Photo by Taron Clarke.
Moroney had to bring Alaskan Rose back from an eleventh to Sofia Rosa in the Group 1 $1m James Boag’s Premium Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on April 9 and was pleased with the way the Encosta De Lago filly hit the line in a rough house Group 2 $175,000 Magic Millions The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on May 21.
“It was probably one of the better runs of the race, her and Clarry Conners’ (Dwwnie Perfect),” Moroney told racing.com.
“There were horses like Ambience that you wouldn’t know; she got a rusty run as well.
“Robbie Fradd said he thought he was going to come down on her, the race was that rough.
“He got posted five-wide from the 1000m, seven wide around the corner, so I thought her run was very good, I thought.”
Alaskan Rose had shown good form during the Autumn and prior to running in the Australian Oaks, ran third to Felicienne in the Group 3 $150,000 Schweppervescence Trophy (1600m) at Flemington followed by a second to Diamond Made in the Group 3 $200,000 TAB Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on the first day of ‘The Championships’ on April 2.
Moroney is aware that Alaskan Rose has had a long campaign, but is confident he has the filly at her best for the Queensland Oaks.
“I was a little bit questionable which way she would go, because I peaked her for the ATC Oaks,” Moroney said.
“Having to do it twice is not that easy with fillies at times.
“The signs are very good – she’s eaten well, she’s worked well. I’ve been able to get a bit of work into her because she’s eaten so well, so the signs are good.”
Alaskan Rose has come in for some early support and has firmed in from $26 to $21 for the Queensland Oaks at Ladbrokes.com.au.
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Falkenberg and Bjorn Baker’s Imposing Lass share favouritism at $7 just ahead of the Clarry Conners trained Dawnie Perfect and Kiwi filly Romantic Maid who are both marked at $8.50.
Queensland Oaks market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $7 Falkenberg, Imposing Lass, $8.50 Romantic Maid, Dawnie Perfect, $9 Provocative, $11 Kebede, Ambience, $13 Chabaud, $14 Self Esteem, $16 Tavi Bay, $19 Sebring Sally, Dulverton, $21 Tap This, Alaskan Rose, Sahara Siren, $26 Zasorceress, $31 Mount Omei, $51 Queen Of Wands, Ashlee Marie, Zafiki, $71 Meru.
