Youngstar enters Queensland Oaks picture
Promising filly Youngstar lived up to her name and rocketed into Queensland Oaks favouritism when she won the Group Two The Roses at Doomben on Saturday.
TAB Fixed Odds slashed Youngstar’s Queensland Oaks odds from $8 into $4.50 favourite after she overhauled stablemate Another Dollar ($5) to win by a length.
Charlie Duckworth, representing champion trainer Chris Waller, said the Group One Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Doomben on May 26 had always been a long-term aim for the filly.
“Obviously on her pedigree being by High Chaparral we felt she was going to be an Oaks horse and about this time last year after a few of her trials we thought about this race,” he said.
“Right from her very first start we thought she had plenty of ability and although it’s been a little while until today she’s rewarded us.”
Duckworth said the trip to Queensland would do wonders for Youngstar’s development.
“She still isn’t overly strong so she was never going to be running in the Oaks in the spring or at Randwick in the ATC Oaks,” Duckworth said.
“That’s what’s great about Australian racing – unlike Europe where you’ve only got three weeks between the English and Irish Oaks, here they’re spread over seven months.
“That gives your horse time to develop so there’s not as much of a need to rush them which allows them to determine which Oaks race to go to.”
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy will consult with Waller about whether a gear change will be required for Youngstar in the Oaks.
“She’s very relaxed, almost too relaxed,” McEvoy said.
“I’ll speak to Chris and see if there’s any headgear added just to sharpen her up and have her travelling that little bit better.”
McEvoy and Waller will be aiming for back-to-back wins in the Oaks, after they combined to win last year with Egg Tart.