The Queensland Oaks meeting will be held at Doomben this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with mainly fine weather in Brisbane leading up to the weekend, Doomben will be racing on a Good track on raceday.
The Steven O’Dea-trained Jami Lady is ready to break through for her first win this campaign in the TAB Class 6 Plate (Brisbane Race 3, 1200m). This filly had put in a great performance to finish 3rd last start over this track & trip behind the unbeaten Zoustyle a fortnight ago. Six furlong is her pet distance as this 3YO has only missed a place once from 5 starts over this trip. Nicely drawn in barrier 4, Ron Stewart will settle just behind the leaders and together with her light weight, Jami Lady emerges to be the horse to beat.
Top weight Virdine is the class horse in the Moreton Cup on Saturday (Brisbane Race 4, 1200m). The Godolphin-owned gelding has hit form lately finishing only half a length behind stablemate Trekking in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) before coming from a long way back to take out the Ortensia Stakes (1100m) at Scone 3 weeks ago. The smaller field on Saturday will suit this backmarker and race jockey Tim Clark has been in top form. Virdine will be flying home and overpower these lots.
The in-form Ciaron Maher stable can add the Queensland Oaks trophy to their cabinet with 3YO filly Etana (Brisbane Race 8, 2200m). Etana has had two runs in Queensland for a 3rd in the Listed $125,000 Johnnie Walker Bracelet (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 4 followed by a win in the Group 2 $200,000 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on May 18. The stable has reported that Etana has really thrived in Queensland and has improved further since her last run. Stepping up to 2200m will suit and having drawn a middle gate (7) will allow John Allen to settle mid-field one off the fence and put the filly to sleep. With her staying ability and her good turn-of-foot, Etana will give punters a great sight at the finish.
By Owens Wong, Editor
