Former New Zealander Scarlet Oak has rocketed to the second line of betting in the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) following an easy victory at Newcastle.
Having just her second start in Australia and third overall, the three-year-old filly made light work of her opponents in Saturday's Signarama Erina/Gosford Handicap (1600m) to all but confirm a trip north.
Partnered by champion apprentice Zac Lloyd, the Chris Waller-trained Scarlet Oak ($2.30 fav) zipped through along the inside and was eased down on the line to score by 2-1/2 lengths over Nana's Wish ($5) with Piggyback ($15) third.
"I'd say she has booked a trip up to Queensland," said Damien Fitton, representing the Waller stable.
"Leave it to Chris, but she is probably on an Oaks path, as we've thought all along.
"She is a quality filly, so it was a great win today."
Bookmakers responded quickly to the performance, tightening Scarlet Oak from $15 into a $6 equal second favourite for the Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on June 8.
By Kermadec, the same sire as multiple Group One winner Montefilia and last year;s Queensland Oaks winner Amokura, Scarlet Oak was an impressive Matamata winner for Ken and Bev Kelso before prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir won the bidding war to secure the prized filly privately.
Scarlet Oak made an immediate impression for Waller, finishing runner-up to stablemate Konasana in the Gr.3 James H B Carr Stakes (1400m) at her local debut.
Fitton said she presented as a fitter horse on Saturday and comfortably handled the heavy track conditions.
"She got through it last start where she probably just got tired the last 50m because she was first-up in Australia and her stablemate beat her, but the form has been good since," he said.
"It's good signs going forward with a bit of rain up in Queensland."
Scarlet Oak brought up an early double for Lloyd, who won the opening race at Newcastle aboard the James Cummings-trained Pisces.
Lloyd said that while Scarlet Oak was only lightly framed, she gave him the feel of a well above-average horse.
"She is a level above these at the moment," Lloyd said.
Scarlet Oak is likely to have her next start in the Gr.2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on May 25 as a lead-up to the Queensland Oaks.
Raced in New Zealand by the Smithies family’s Monovale Holdings, Scarlet Oak is one of two smart fillies sold by the Smithies out of the Kelso stable this year. Savabeel filly Little Jeanie was placed on two occasions for Ken and Bev Kelso before being purchased privately and joining the Waller stable. Also sporting the colours of Ozzie Kheir, the last-start Sydney winner also holds a nomination for the Queensland Oaks. – NZ Racing Desk
