Racing: Kiwi trainer extremely anxious for Oaks

Taranaki trainer Bryce Revell can't wait another two weeks for the Queensland Oaks after he nearly struck gold with his first Australian runner at Doomben on Saturday.

Revell's filly Ekstreme ($10) burst from the pack to run fellow New Zealander Awesome Planet, trained by Graeme Rogerson, to a half-head in the group three Doomben Roses (2020m).

It ensured the pair will be among the favourites for the Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm on May 30 amid a host of Kiwi raiders which also include NZ Oaks runnerup Can't Keeper Down - yet to run in Australia.

"On that run we'll have to be thereabouts," Revell said yesterday.

"Our filly's going to run out 2400m and a lot of the others won't. She pulled up well this morning. It's pretty warm over here and she's just thriving."

Revell confirmed top New Zealand rider Opie Bosson would retain the ride for the Oaks despite several calls from top Australian riders today.

"Corey Brown's manager rang for the ride but we're sticking with Opie - he's pretty much glued to the horse now," said Revell, a former jumps rider who later admitted "food got the better of me", is on his first training trip to Australia.

He was confident Ekstreme's form would stack up after an unlucky eighth behind Jungle Rocket in the NZ Oaks then a two-length victory over a strong field at Te Rapa over 2000m.

The forecast for rain in Brisbane this week was also music to Revell's ears after Ekstreme's win over subsequent AJC Oaks winner Daffodil (now in the spelling paddock) on a heavy track in the Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Trentham in February.

"She's pretty good on a dry track but if it rains it's a definite advantage.

"There's not much between the New Zealand staying fillies - Daffodil, Awesome Planet, Can't Keeper Down, they're all sort of similar and it's about who gets the best run. Hopefully, we'll get a piece of it."

Awesome Planet ($14) impressed and will attempt to become the first filly since Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal in 2001 to complete the Doomben Roses-Queensland Oaks double.

Transtasman trainer Rogerson said she was unlucky not to be New Zealand's filly of the year after a road accident forced her scratching from the NZ Oaks. "She's a very good filly and she's proved it by beating older horses back home.

"She'll be hard to beat in the Queensland Oaks on that run."

The Roger James-trained La Etoile was a $3.90 favourite but only battled into fourth once in the clear.

Jockey Michael Rodd reported La Etoile wasn't suited by the 2000m.

"She didn't run the trip right out and she won't be going to the Queensland Oaks now and will head to the Queensland Guineas," he said.

The Lance Noble-trained Geeza also impressed first up in Brisbane with a third to the filly Court in the group three BTC Classic (1350m) for 3-year-olds.

Te Aroha warhorse Sir Slick almost snatched an elusive Australian group one win when he was beaten less than a length into third by Scenic Shot and Racing To Win in the weight-for-age Doomben Cup (2020m).

Ridden by Glen Colless, the Graeme Nicholson-trained gelding led until the last 50m to run his third consecutive third placing in as many weeks in Queensland. Kiwi mares Veloce Bella (eighth) and Mirkola Lass (14th) never threatened.

New Zealand stables started the day on a high when the Richard Otto-trained Attackum ($8.50) won his fourth race from eight starts in a restricted 1200m handicap.

Brisbane Cup-winning trainer Len Morton was the proudest father in the country after watching Perth stayer Scenic Shot score a memorable win in the Doomben Cup.

Scenic Shot, ridden by Queensland jockey Shane Scriven, stormed home to down Sydney star Racing To Win by just a nose in the 2020m feature.

Morton trained the 1978 Brisbane Cup winner Muros but after a successful career decided to stand down and hand over to his son, Daniel.

Morton junior brought Scenic Shot to Queensland last year when he won the group two Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast and group two O'Shea Stakes at Eagle Farm but watched Saturday's race from Perth where he's preparing Scenic Blast for his upcoming trip to England.

Len Morton said Scenic Shot's Doomben Cup victory gave him a bigger thrill than when he won the Brisbane Cup with Muros.

"It's a great thrill to win it. I stood aside four years ago to let Dan have a go at training. For him to make a good fist of training and win group one races make you very proud as a parent."

- NZPA, AAP