BRISBANE - Waikato-trained filly Giovana confirmed she is a leading prospect for the Queensland Oaks when a solid fourth in the $A200,000 Grand Prix Stakes for three-year-olds at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Giovana is being aimed at the $A325,000 Queensland Oaks for three-year-old fillies at Eagle Farm on June 3 and was the only filly in Saturday's field of 11 runners.
The race was won by the Gold Coast-trained Make Mine Magic by half a neck from the Sydney colt Freemason. There was 1-1/2 lengths to AJC Derby winner Fairway in third.
Matamata trainer Roger James said Giovana's effort was very satisfying from an Oaks viewpoint.
"She's finished a nose away from an AJC Derby winner and the run should clean her up nicely for the race we came here for," said James.
His opinion of the run was reaffirmed by Chris Munce who will have the Oaks mount.
"He confirmed what I thought, that it was a lovely run for what's in store," James said.
He added Giovana should improve with the race as it was the first over ground in her current preparation.
Giovana was having her first start for James. The Blues Traveller bay, who was fourth in the New Zealand Oaks at Trentham in January, was previously trained by owner Carol Marshall but she placed the horse in James' care for her Brisbane campaign.
Fairway was an even money favourite for Saturday's race and rider Brian York said there were no excuses.
But he added the horse would be much better suited to the Queensland Derby (2400m) on June 10 when he will be on level weights with the colts and geldings. Fairway had the topweight of 58kg and conceded up to 5kg to his male rivals.
Magnifier, winner of the Queensland Guineas (1600m) at his previous start, was a slightly disappointing fifth but his task for a backrunner was made difficult with the last 600m being run in a quick 35.2 seconds.
There were three other New Zealand-trained horses in the race but all were well beaten.
The Bruce Marsh-trained Citi Habit finished sixth but Marsh said he would have preferred his rider to settle the horse back instead of going up to sit outside Fairway who made the pace.
Mr Nadir Shah, trained by Mark Walker, was seventh after appearing to have his chance while The Sledge, from the Riccarton stable of Les Didham, was second-last of the 11 runners in his first run for nearly a month.
There was better fortune for Marsh at the Gold Coast on Saturday. He produced Tycoon Babe to win a $A7000 class one race for fillies and mares over 1110m.
The Last Tycoon filly, a half-sister to stable star Cheiron, was posting her second win from as many starts after clearing maidens at Hastings in April.
Tycoon Babe was sent out a hot favourite at odds of 2-5, the equivalent of a $1.40 dividend on the totalisator.
However she had to work hard for victory. She missed the jump, was ridden hard to recover and for a long time in the straight it appeared she would not reel in the leader.
But she was able to find something extra near the finish and got home by half a length.
Meanwhile, the stipendiary stewards' inquiry over the handling of a Marsh-trained horse by former New Zealand jockey David Walsh is to resume on Thursday.
Walsh had been charged with not giving Delightful full opportunity to win at Eagle Farm on May 10.
- NZPA
Racing: Solid Prix showing bodes well for Giovana's tilt at Oaks
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