Australian Oaks runner up Scarlet Dream will be on trial for a Queensland Oaks start when she lines up in the Group 2 $200,000 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Scarlet Dream ran second to Verry Elleegant, above, in the 2019 Australian Oaks at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Scralet Dream has been installed as the $2.50 favourite for The Roses but trainer Mark Newnham is uncertain if the Sebring filly will be suited to the Doomben circuit.
The Group 1 $500,000 Treasury Brisbane Queensland Oaks (2200m) will be run at Doomben again this year in a fortnight and Newnham is keeping his options open to running the filly against the colts and geldings on the bigger Eagle Farm track in the Group 1 $600,000 Channel 7 Queensland Derby (2400m) the following week.
“It is why I also entered her for the Derby at Eagle Farm over 2400 metres,” Newnham told AAP.
“It is disappointing the Oaks isn’t on the bigger Eagle Farm track which would suit her.
“But provided she handles Doomben on Saturday she is Oaks bound. She could even back up in the Derby but that is down the track.”
Newnham said that Scarlet Dream showed that she had come through her second placing in the Group 1 $1m Heineken 3 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on April 13 in fine order with an impressive barrier trial win over 1200m at Warwick Farm on May 3.
“She won a trial a Warwick Farm two weeks ago and I think it was the best she had ever trialled,” Newnham said.
“I took the blinkers off her for the trial but they will be back on for Saturday.”
Blake Shinn has retained the ride on Scarlet Dream who has drawn barrier thirteen in the original drew but could move in two spots when the final field of sixteen is sorted out at scratching time on Saturday morning.
The Richard and Michael Freedman trained On The White Turf is on the second line of betting at $6.50 and will jump from the gate inside of Scarlet Dream with James McDonald in the saddle while Aliferous (barrier 4, Jason Collett) at $9 and Etana (barrier 2, Johnny Allen) at $9.50 are the only other runners under the $10 mark.
The post The Roses favourite Scarlet Dream to test Doomben for Queensland Oaks start appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au.
