Trainer Chris Waller has confirmed that Queensland Oaks winner Youngstar will take on the colts and geldings in the 2018 Group 1 $600,000 Channel Seven Queensland Derby (2200m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Live And Free, above, is sharing favouritism for the 2018 Queensland Derby at Doomben. Photo by Steve Hart.
Youngstar has made a quick fire rise up through the ranks with four wins on the trot, starting with her maiden win at Hawkesbury on April 17 and culminating with a victory over her stablemate Another Dollar in the Group 1 $500,000 Treasury Brisbane Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Doomben on May 26.
Waller has contemplating running both fillies in the Queensland Derby, but has settled with Youngstar flying the flag for the girls.
“Youngstar has pulled up well following her win the Group One Queensland Oaks and the decision has been made to push on to Group One Queensland Derby,” Waller said in a statement.
“We will continue to monitor her progress up until Saturday morning as I have been mindful of not overtaxing her, however I was very happy with her gallop this morning and she continues to handle her time in Queensland exceptionally well.”
Waller ruled out a Queensland Derby start for Another Dollar and the Ocean Park filly will be spelled before preparing for a 2018 Spring Carnival campaign which could include a start in the Group 1 $1m Epsom (1600m) at Randwick.
“The decision has been made to spell Another Dollar and she will not take part in the Queensland Derby to be run this Saturday at Doomben,” Waller said.
“She has gone through her narrow defeat in the Queensland Oaks without any issues, however I feel it would be best to give her a break now and prepare her for the Spring with a likely tilt towards the Epsom Handicap.”
Waller will have several runners in the Queensland Derby and as well as Youngstar has Tangled, Almighty Crown, Merovee, Augustus and Ombudsman among the first acceptances for Blue Riband Classic.
The final field for the 2018 Queensland Derby will be released on Wednesday, June 6.
Youngstar is high up in the Queensland Derby market order and shares the third line of betting at $6.50 with Dark Dream at Ladbrokes.com.au.
The John O’Shea trained Live And Free and Darren Weir’s Lucky For All share favouritism at $4.50 just ahead of another Weir colt, the inform Heavenly Thought at $5.50.
Early betting for the 2018 Queensland Derby at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.50 Live And Free, Lucky For All, $5.50 Heavenly Thought, $6.50 Dark Dream, Youngstar, $11 Han Xin, Mahamedeis, $16 Tangled, $21 Rezealient, $31 Merovee, $41 Banner Season, California Turbo, Heir To The Throne, Ombudsman, $51 or better the rest.
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