Youngstar a Justifiable Favourite in Queensland Oaks Betting
Kerrin McEvoy will take the ride on race favourite Youngstar in the Queensland Oaks. Photo: Steve Hart

Youngstar a Justifiable Favourite in Queensland Oaks Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Youngstar was too good for her rivals at Doomben a fortnight ago and she is a justifiable $2.60 favourite in 2018 Queensland Oaks betting. Youngstar trialled well in the lead-up to her 2018 return and stamped herself as a filly to follow with a brave performance for third first-up at Rosehill in early April. Returning to winning form over 1500m at Hawkesbury a fortnight later, the High Chaparral filly delivered a decent field a near four-length defeat at Newcastle on April 28th before making a successful transition to black type company via her commanding performance in the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) last time out. Her breeding suggests that she will only improve upon stepping out in trip and she’s drawn to receive the run of the race on Saturday from barrier 4. Another Dollar was tough to the line for second in The Roses after leading and she is subsequently the sole occupant of the second line of Queensland Oaks betting at $5.50 odds. Another Dollar has also been a strong and consistent performer for Waller this time and is yet to miss a place through her six career starts. Having posted a strong win over 1300m at Toowoomba on April 7th, the Ocean Park filly was impressive when second behind Torvill in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1630m) a fortnight prior to her run in The Roses. Glyn Schofield should be able to employ similar on-pace tactics from barrier 2 and Another Dollar will give her rivals something to chase. Interestingly the only other filly currently available at Queensland Oaks odds of less-than $10, Aloisia ($7) is one of the classiest horses in this field and it would not surprise to see her returning to winning form. Aloisia was unlucky not to post her first Group 1 win in Brisbane last winter after she flew home to finish second in the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m), but she returned an even better horse in spring and won the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) during an outstanding preparation. She is yet to return to winning form in 2018 and clearly has not been at her best, but she’s still continued to produce decent efforts at the highest level, including third in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and sixth in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) three weeks ago. Sheezdashing flew home to finish second in the Australasian Oaks and she is over the odds at her current $11 quote to win on Saturday. The daughter of Myboycharlie has finished runner-up at her three most-recent starts, but appears to be improving with the added journey and could find her most-ideal conditions to date in the Queensland Oaks.