Trainer David Vandyke is confident Arabian Gold can secure outright favouritism for the G1 Queensland Oaks following her assignment in the G2 The Roses at Doomben on Saturday.
Vandyke’s confidence will soar if predicted rain falls but either way he couldn’t be happier with his filly ahead of her 2000-metre feature.
Only two winners of The Roses have gone on to claim The Queensland Oaks – both Kiwis, Ethereal in 2001 and Scarlett Lady in 2011.
In latest markets for the Queensland Oaks on May 31, Arabian Gold and the Kris Lees-trained Hera share favouritism at $5.50.
Vandyke is looking to the heavens to boost Arabian Gold’s chances in The Roses following her recent wins in the Adrian Knox Stakes and Frank Packer Plate during the Sydney autumn carnival.
“She’s unbeaten on wet tracks so it would be nice to get some rain,” Vandyke said.
“In an ideal world I’d like some rain but I wouldn’t swap her barrier one for rain.
“Like some others she doesn’t get off balance in the wet and her gravity is very balanced.
“There’s not much of her but there’s no question marks with her either.
“Whatever track conditions she gets she has the form to win after her last two wins in Sydney.”
Arabian Gold, a Blake Shinn mount, had her preparation for the Queensland Oaks topped off with a sparkling barrier trial at Randwick last week.
“Her trials was brilliant and she’s improving all the time,” Shinn said.
“She gives me the impression she’s looking for further.”
Meanwhile Lees has admitted he has some minor reservations with Hera following her stable debut when a first-up fourth in the James H.B. Carr Stakes at Randwick on April 21.
“There’s some concern going from 1400 to 2000 metres but her fitness won’t be a worry,” Lees said.
“She had a nice little trial at Cessnock last Friday.
“There were plenty of positives to come out of her last run. It was three weeks between runs and she carried a lot of weight at Randwick.
“She’s also got good wet track form if it rains so there’s no concerns with the track.”
Hera, a daughter of O’Reilly, started her career in New Zealand where she won twice at Group 2 level.
Tinto looks to be Queensland’s best hope to repel the interstate and overseas invaders in The Roses.
Tinto raced in blinkers for the first time when she narrowly won the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) last start.
– Racing Queensland
