STRONG OAKS OR WEEPING WILLOWS?

By Ross Stanley | Wednesday, June 3, 2009

In an ideal racing world the Oaks classic for the three year old fillies probably has a dual purpose. It serves as a predictive indicator to future open Group 1 glory in staying races and place-getters hopefully will go on to become progenitors of high quality bloodstock.

Clearly if an event constantly throws up winners who are failures on both scores, the particular race surely is partially devalued in status.

With respect to the Brisbane winter of 2009 the lucrative lure of international opportunities has drawn away some mature Group One standard performers and potential visitors with Scenic Blast, Takeover Target, Sarrera, Pompeii Court and Niconero all jetting off to the likes of England, Singapore and Dubai. However for the juveniles and the three year olds it is business as usual this May-June and the Kiwis are back in numbers in this post Equine Influenza period.

The Queensland Oaks, coming around six months after its Victorian counterpart, naturally engages more physically developed runners and therefore the form could be expected to be more reliable.

The prize-money levels however are a significant differential with Flemington's edition worth $1 million, Brisbane posting a $400,000 booty whilst Sydney in the autumn puts up $500,000 for the Australian (AJC) Oaks.

At times southern interests are quick to degrade the calibre of Brisbane winter racing. So how does the Queensland honour roll for the distaff metric mile-and-a-half rate with regards to subsequent career paths?

Top of the sash wearers in the staying sense is the 2001 Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal, the New Zealander who scored in the 2001 Eagle Farm Oaks and the lead up Doomben Roses for Scott Seamer .

Arctic Scent (winner in 1996) took out that year's Caulfield Cup while Our Sophia (second, 1985) and Circle of Gold (second, 1995) were placed in the big one at the Heath.

From a two mile angle, Evening Peal (1955) also won the VRC Oaks and the 1956 Melbourne Cup. Mode (1971) and Queen's Road (third, 1982) both saluted in Brisbane Cups while Round The World (1987) was successful at Sydney Cup level. Zaglia (2003) ran fifth as a four year old in the Melbourne Cup.

Surround (triple Oaks winner in 1976) was an all time great and is the only three year old filly to annex a W.S.Cox Plate. Analie (1973) also picked up the QTC Derby, AJC Oaks, AJC Doncaster and AJC Metropolitan. Cinque Cento (second, 2005) returned two years later to win a Doomben Cup with Eskimo Queen (2007) proving herself in an older Group One test in the STC Coolmore Stakes (1500m). Penny Gem (third, 2003) was able to win Wellington's Captain Cook Stakes (1600m, Gr 1)

The breeding side of the Queensland Oaks has some potent outcomes. Denise's Joy (1976), her daughter Joie Denise (1995) and grand-daughter Miss Danehill (1999 have provided a special ancestry to the race and beyond with current top staying mare Tuesday Joy and Sunday Joy (2003 AJC Oaks) part of that lineage.

Eau D'Etoile (third, 1986) produced Filante, Kenny's Best Pal and Bint Marscay, grand-dam of VRC Derby winner Benicio. Circles of Gold of course is the mother of Elvstroem and Haradasun.VRC Derby winner Arena was from Lee's Bid (second, 1991).

There are a number of outstanding fillies who are on the board in one or more of the eastern state Oaks but were never likely to race over ground. Stars such as Triscay (QTC Oaks 1991) who defeated Mannerism, a future Caulfield Cup winner) in the Randwick affair, Slight Chance (Cox Plate placed), Wenona Girl, Bounding Away were just too smart for their oppositions on the day.

On the other hand the 1965 Melbourne Cup winner Light Fingers took out the VRC-AJC Oaks double while other top staying race performers such as Lowland, How Now, Leilani, Born To Be Queen, Mapperley Heights,(My) Blue Denim, Coco Cobanno, Republic Lass, Alcove and Champagne were also in the frame for a time honoured 2400m three year olds classic.

Is there a verdict concerning any comparative criticism of the Queensland Oaks?

Like each of its richer counterparts, the event has from time to time featured some wonderful stayers and future broodmares. On the other hand it has had its down periods. Track conditions, later injuries to place-getters, unavailability of class candidates and changing breeding trends are just some of the factors that have helped create a mixed bag so to speak.

But so too have the southern renditions. The roll at Flemington over the past decade or so includes Serenade Rose, Hollow Bullet, Special Harmony, Bulla Borghese, Magical Miss, Lovelorn and Tributes, none of which had stellar careers later on. It is similar scenario with the Sydney contingent of Rena's Lady, Wild Iris, Rose Archway, On Air and Kenbelle.

Arguably no state should claim a degree of superiority if all the ensuing efforts beyond the three year old season are considered.

Of the post-war Melbourne Cup winning mares (apart from Ethereal) Empire Rose, with her second in New Zealand, is the only one with a touch of Oaks glory so maybe it is unrealistic to expect the fillies' distance classic to be a litmus test for such high level success down the track.

Given the juvenile-sprinter-miler culture that grips the helm of the Australian industry, the tunnel ahead regarding staying interests logically will get darker. One thing is sure. Anyone owning or breeding an Oaks winner will savour the moment and accept it with ultimate pleasure. If the thoroughbred concerned does not reach those stellar heights again, the mantle-piece trophy will be exceptional compensation.