Queensland Oaks – 2021 tips, preview and runner by runner

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a field of 14 runners for the $600,000 Queensland Oaks and 10 of them had their last start in the Group 2 The Roses over 2000m on 22 May. Chris Waller has six runners in the event. The early favourite is Bargain who was doing her best work late when 2nd in The Roses. Second favouritism is shared between Grace And Harmony who won three races in a row before 6th in The Roses last outing, and Duais who has finished ahead of the favourite twice and comes off 2nd in the Group 1 Australian Oaks last start.

Only Words was the winner of The Roses for her 4th win from 13 starts. Charms Star came 2nd in the Group 1 NZ Oaks before running 3rd in The Roses at her first Australian start.  Media Award won the Group 1 Australasian Oaks last outing and is the only Group 1 winner in the field. Easifar was 4th in The Roses, while Signora Nera finished 5th.  All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Duais

One of two Shamus Award fillies in the race, she has three wins and been runner-up four times from nine starts. The two runs where she didn’t make the quinella were both on heavy tracks. She won the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes over 2000m on 10 April, before 2nd in the Group 1 Australian Oaks over 2400m on 17 April. Bargain finished 3rd in that race. She will go well here and is one of the main chances.

2. Media Award

This Shamus Award filly is the only Group 1 winner in the race. She had two dominant wins in a Kyneton maiden then a BM 64 handicap at Geelong before coming from near last to win the Group 1 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville by 0.5 length. I was very impressed by her and expect her to be in the finish.

3. Bargain

This Ocean Park filly has placed at her last three starts. She ran on strongly from well back in the field for 0.5 length 2nd in the Adrian Knox, chased hard for 1.3, 0.2 lengths 3rd in the Australian Oaks behind Duais, then ran 1.25 lengths 2nd in The Roses. The extra 200m should suit and she is a leading chance.

4. Only Words

One of two Sweynesse fillies (the other is Signora Nera and both are trained by Chris Waller) she won The Roses by a comfortable 1.25 length margin. She has drawn the second widest barrier but with luck will finish in the first few home,

5. Easifar

This Pride Of Dubai filly has raced well in her three Queensland starts for a win in the Listed Princess Stakes, 5th in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet behind Grace And Harmony, then 4th in The Roses. behind Only Words. Not helped by her wide draw.

6. Grace And Harmony

Drawn in barrier 3, this Sebring filly has the best draw of the six Waller runners. She won three races in a row – a Newcastle maiden, BM 64 handicap at Kensington then the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet before 3.7 lengths 6th in The Roses. In the mix.

7. Good Soize

She finished 7.45 lengths 11th in The Roses where she didn’t have the best of runs. She will probably improve back to her home track and with the inside draw. Not the worst.

8. Charms Star

Just missed for a close 2nd in the Group 2 Lowland Stakes at Trentham then ran on strongly for a length 2nd in the Group 1 NZ Oaks over 2400m on 20 March. She came from mid-field for 1.25, 0.3 lengths 3rd in The Roses at her first Australian start and is capable of running a place.

9. Rebel Rama

One of the few runners not to have come via the Roses. she was a 0.62 length winner of a 3YO BM 72 handicap at Rosehill last start where she had the best last 600m race sectional. Mikayla Weir rode her then and will ride again in her first Group 1 ride. This is a big rise in grade.

10. Signora Nera

Her last 4 runs have been 5th in the Adrian Knox, 6th in the ATC Oaks,  2nd in the Gold Coast Bracelet and  3.5 lengths 5th in The Roses. She has not been far-away in her lead-up races and I expect she will run well again.

11. Splendiferous

This Pride Of Dubai filly won three easier races in NSW before 7.85 lengths 12th in The Roses. She is nicely drawn but others look to have her measure.

12. Yatton

She is bred to stay but her only win from nine starts is a Sale maiden over 1400m. She finished 8th in the Gold Coast Bracelet before 10t in The Roses and this looks too tough.

13. Ruru

The visitors draw of barrier 14 won’t help the chances of this So You Think filly. Was 5.35 lengths 8th in The Roses and not in my top 6.

14. Mishani Whisper

The only maiden runner in the race. She has run 3rd twice in her four starts and finished 15.8 lengths 11th in a 3YO handicap at Ipswich last start. Aiming too high.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
2 Media Award
1 Duais
4 Only Words
3 Bargain

Group 2 Moreton Cup 2021 (Eagle Farm 1200m)

Listed Lightning Handicap 2021 (Eagle Farm 1000m)

Listed The Phoenix 2021 (Eagle Farm 1500m)