Saturday week’s 2017 Queensland Oaks is on the cards the Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained filly Shenandoah if she makes the field after her competitive effort in The Roses last weekend in Brisbane.
The Chris Waller-trained Egg Tart is early favourite in 2017 Queensland Oaks betting for the Group 1 at Eagle Farm on June 3. Photo: Jenny Barnes.
The Cranbourne-based Young confirmed to Racing Victoria on Monday that plans were to continue onto the $500,000 Group 1 Treasury Brisbane Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 3 with Darci Brahma filly Shenandoah following her sunshine state debut on Saturday.
A winner of just one of her nine career starts to date, Shenandoah caught the eye at Doomben in the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) on Doomben Cup Day crossing only one and a half lengths away fourth behind the Darren Weir-trained winner Kenedna.
Kenedna survived a protest from the Chris Waller-trained runner-up Oklahoma Girl to salute for the punters on the back of her Group 1 Schweppes Oaks (2000m) second in Adelaide.
Shenandoah meanwhile was up in grade, jumping a $26 roughie for The Roses after a third over the same metres a fortnight earlier in a Benchmark 84 for fillies and mares.
“I actually thought it was a great effort,” Young said.
“We had that wide gate [barrier 12 of 14] unfortunately and we got caught deep – three deep.
“We were probably in a little bit of the better part of the track but it was a little bit unfortunate that we couldn’t get some cover when we needed it, but I thought she run home brilliantly.”
With only $40,143 in prize money there’s a chance Shenandoah will miss out on a Queensland Oaks run, but Young and connections are hoping the filly has done enough to make the Group 1 field.
“We are just hoping that we are going to make the field,” she said.
“We should do. She should relish the extra 400 metres and she shouldn’t mind the track conditions.
“We have to leave her last in the parade ring and then get her straight out – ponied out – and down along and she’s good,” she explained.
“She’s always been a little bit like that in her trackwork. She’s one that you’ve got to keep her moving. You just have the long rein on her and go with her and she’s good.
“She has been a little bit temperament but those good fillies always have that little bit of sass about them. That’s what you like.”
The latest Queensland Oaks odds at Ladbrokes.com.au have Saturday’s SA Fillies Classic winner Ana Royale and Waller’s Schweppes Oaks champ Egg Tart installed as the equal $4.50 favourites.
Shenandoah meanwhile can be found further down the futures Queensland Oaks betting markets at a $34 quote.
To back your favourite fillies at their all-in Queensland Oaks quotes head to Ladbrokes.com.au now.
