Scarlet Dream will give the boys a run for their money in the 2019 Queensland Derby on Saturday according to her in-form trainer Mark Newnham who believes the roomier Eagle Farm track will suit her to a tee.
Nobu is favourite in 2019 Queensland Derby betting this winter. Photo: Steve Hart.
The chestnut daughter of Sebring is out to atone for her disappointing first-up seventh at Doomben in the Group 2 $200,000 The Roses (2000m) on May 18 when, from barrier 11 of 16, she found the course a little tight.
Only managing to finish 2.5 lengths back in her midfield finish behind Etana, Scarlet Rose byed last weekend’s Group 1 $500,000 Queensland Oaks (2200m) against the fillies back at Doomben.
Instead her Sydney-based trainer Newnham, former foreman in Queensland for the prolific Gai Waterhouse stable, has kept the filly fresh for a shot at the Group 1 $600,000 Queensland Derby (2400m) against the colts and geldings on Stradbroke Handicap Day.
“I am comfortable in my decision to miss the Oaks and wait a week for this Saturday’s Derby,” Newnham told AAP on Monday.
“I felt she didn’t handle the smaller Doomben track when unplaced in The Roses.
“A big track and 2400 metres at Eagle Farm suits her perfectly and she is doing well.”
Scarlet Dream is the best fancied of the predicted fillies in this season’s Queensland Derby betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au sitting at a current pre-field quote of $6.
That makes her the equal second-favourite with Mr Quickie, Phillip Stokes’ SA Derby third placegetter on track for a big run in Brisbane on Saturday.
Dariana in 2010 was the last Queensland Derby winning filly, the daughter of Redoute’s Choice backing-up from a failed Oaks run when left at the post in the then 2400m event at Eagle Farm.
Like the well-ed Mr Quickie, who trails only the improving Kiwi expat Nobu ($4.20) in the all-in Queensland Derby odds for 2019, Scarlet Dream is also a Group 1 placegetter.
Before her flat finish in The Roses she was second past the post at Royal Randwick on April 13 behind Verry Elleegant in the Group 1 $1 million ATC Oaks (2400m), form the bookies are tipping to stack-up in the Queensland Derby.
She currently sits fourth on the Queensland Derby ballot with $273,080 in total prize money thanks to two wins from eight career starts to date.
The other best-fancied filly among the likely Queensland Derby acceptors is the Kris Lees-trained Aliferous ($17).
A nicely-bred daughter of Hinchinbrook, Aliferous ran fourth in Sydney’s ATC Oaks on the back of a Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) win.
She travelled up to Brisbane and ran a close second in The Roses before a fifth in last Saturday’s Queensland Oaks, won in an upset by Winning Ways over $151 roughie Dawson Diva.
The Queensland Derby 2019 field and barriers are announced on Wednesday morning followed by updated odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.
