Kiwi bred three year-old fillies have been hot to trot in Australia this season and they are out in force for the last Group I Oaks race of the season with six of the fillies engaged for the Queensland Oaks (2200m) all foaled in New Zealand including a filly that is closely related to last week’s Queensland Derby winner Kovalica.
Kiwi bred runners in the Oaks are: Affaire A Suivre (Astern), Renaissance Woman (Reliable Man (GB), So Dazzling (So You Think), Sakura Girl (Iffraaj (GB), Proscenium Arch (So You Think) and Cheval D’Or (Almanzor (Fr).
Affaire A Suivre has already got an Oaks on her resume having won the SAJC Australasian Oaks (2000m) in Adelaide last month and with the scratching of race favourite Fireburn, she and Renaissance Woman find themselves at the top of the market.
Renaissance Woman is from a high class speed female family, but her sire Reliable Man has already produced two Oaks winner in Miami Bound and Miss Sentimental and this Oaks is only 2200m which will be in her favour.
So You Think has two runners - So Dazzling was second in the Australian Oaks, but seems to prefer softer ground, while Proscenium Arch has been just behind place-getters at past two starts, but could easily get in the frame here and is closely related to Group II Perth Cup winner Midnight Blue, so additional trip should suit.
The two Kiwi trained fillies Sakura Girl and Cheval D’Or have certainly been given the visitor’s draw jumping from gates 21 and 20 and have the form and pedigree to be competitive. Cheval D’Or is by Almanzor, who already has an Aussie classic winner on the resume with Manzoice winning the Victoria Derby and Virtuous Circle a good second in the Australian Derby. Cheval D’Or is a half-sister to triple Group I winning sprinter The Bostonian and to Vitesse, the dam of last week’s Queensland Derby winner Kovalica.
