Racing: Prize Lady stronger in Queensland than in NZ Oaks

SYDNEY - Waikato trainer Graeme Sanders rates his Queensland Oaks hope Prize Lady a much stronger filly than when she was second to Justa Tad in the New Zealand Oaks.

Prize Lady tackles the group one A$325,000 ($352,500) oaks at Eagle Farm tomorrow, with only one run under her belt since her New Zealand Oaks run in January.

After a spell, she ran second to Calveen in the group two $100,000 Travis Stakes (1600m) for fillies and mares at Te Rapa on April 30.

"She's only a little, light filly and doesn't require much racing to bring her to her best," Sanders told NZPA from Brisbane.

Sanders said Prize Lady's big asset was her ability to stay and he rates her a good chance in what he has adjudged "not a particularly strong oaks field".

Prize Lady was yesterday rated a $13 chance on the New South Wales TAB, the best of five New Zealand-trained horses in the race.

Sanders said his filly had matured since her second to Justa Tad, who went on to run an unlucky second to Dizelle in the AJC Oaks at Randwick, Sydney, in April.

Larry Cassidy rode Justa Tad in Sydney and was keen to gain the ride on Prize Lady, knowing that she had good form around Justa Tad.

"He's studied up the videos of her races," Sanders said.

The other New Zealanders in the field are Felenic, Mercury Island, Argyle Lass and Zaria.

Mercury Island, trained by Mike Moroney, was rated a $17 chance, while Felenic, trained by Jan Hay at Ashburton was at $21. The other pair of Argyle Lass and Zaria were priced at $101.

Sanders lines up the promising mare Anne Carina in a 1550m event earlier in the day at Eagle Farm.

Meanwhile, talented Kiwi youngster Darci Brahma has been dealt the tough barrier draw of 12 when he takes on the Bruce McLachlan-trained pair of Diamondsontheinside and Virage De Fortune in the Sires Produce Stakes for 2-year-olds. Scott Seamer rides Darci Brahma.

There is a strong New Zealand contingent in the weight-for-age P J O'Shea Stakes (2400m), with Wellington Cup winner Zabeat, From Heaven, Empryeal, Waltermitty engaged, while Dezigna looks a good chance in the QTC Cup (1200m).

Other New Zealand horses on the Eagle Farm card include Buran, Sir Woody and Elendil.

- NZPA