Southland fillies hold a strong hand in tonight's $75,000 Wayne Francis Memorial New Zealand Oaks at Addington.
The Allan Beck-trained Shortys Girl, this term's Southland Oaks Final winner, starts from the outside of the second line, while the Tony Barron-trained Maheer Queen is on the outside of the front row.
Beck and Barron will be represented by their first New Zealand Oaks starters tonight, and there was quiet confidence yesterday.
Beck brought the lightly raced Shortys Girl (by New York Motoring) to Christchurch on Tuesday, and couldn't fault her condition.
"She's not big, but is a strong filly. We have spaced her races, and she could go out for a spell after tomorrow night. We'll just see what happens," said Beck, whose late father Bob trained Josephine Bret to win the New Zealand Oaks in 1984.
Beck, who drove Tartan Lady to finish a close second to Under Cover Lover in the 1998 New Zealand Oaks, started Shortys Girl over the mobile 2200m at Ascot Park last Friday. She ran away from c2 opposition, recording a useful 2:45.2.
Maheer Queen was an impressive Nevele R Fillies series heat winner at Addington last Friday night. She will be having her seventh start, and Shortys Girl her eighth.
- NZPA
Racing: Southland fillies strong
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