Racing: Dowager Queen on track for Eulogy at Awapuni

Dowager Queen. Photo / Supplied

A lack of race fitness won't be an issue for high-class filly Dowager Queen when she resumes in the group three Ezibuy Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni today.

The Savabeel three-year-old makes her first raceday appearance since her gallant second to Mosheen in the A$1.3 millon Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on November 3. But co-trainer Debbie Rogerson said yesterday Dowager Queen was on track to collect maximum points in her first assault on the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year series.

"She only had a couple of weeks let-up after the Oaks over there and has come back in tremendous order and looks great," said Rogerson.

"You'd think class-wise even 80 per cent ready she'd be pretty much on her game tomorrow. "She had a nice trial at Te Awamutu [on November 29] and is on target."

Dowager Queen had five spring starts in Australia, all in the best company, and only missed paying a dividend when sixth first-up in Streama's group two Tea Rose Stakes at Rosehill.

Safely through today's assignment, Rogerson said Dowager Queen would chase more series points at Ellerslie in the Eight Carat Classic (1600m) on Boxing Day and the Royal Stakes (2000m) there six days later.

Her main target in this campaign is the filly series climax, the group one $300,000 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 14.

Dowager Queen has had three attempts at group one level and is getting closer to the broodmare boost each time. She ran fourth to Benfica in the TJ Smith in Brisbane in June, then third in Streama's Flight Stakes before a distant second to Mosheen at Flemington last month.

Rogerson said Dowager Queen couldn't afford a bigger break than she's had if she's going to be a serious Filly of the Year contender.

The stable also saddles two outstanding second-string Eulogy hopes in 1000 Guineas runner-up Abeautifulred and Joy's Choice today.

Rogerson said Abeautifulred had thrived since announcing her emergence into stakes company with a narrow miss at Riccarton.

Abeautifulred also has history on her side today; King's Rose won the Eulogy after winning the 1000 Guineas last year.

Unlike punters, Rogerson wasn't the least bit surprised that the Handsome Ransom filly came so close to a massive upset last month.

"She's always been able to gallop but had no luck first start at Taupo.

"Then we put the blinkers on her and thought she'd go a real bold race at Christchurch. She goes on all sorts of ground."

"She's not an overly big filly but she's been working very well and the trip away might have half made her too. We're real happy with her."

Rogerson expects Abeautifulred to go forward again today and be tough for her stablemates to catch.

Joy's Choice has fared worst of the trio at the barrier - she jumps from the outside 12 gate - but Rogerson expects the 17-hands-high filly to be powering home again.