Nominations for seven of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival’s upcoming Group 1 races were taken by Racing Queensland on Tuesday including a bumper 120 early entries for the Queensland Derby 2015.

Gai Waterhouse’s filly Bohemian Lily is nominated for both the Queensland Oaks and Queensland Derby 2015 in Brisbane this winter carnival. Photo: Daniel Costello.

Running on June 6, the $600,000 Group 1 Channel 7 Queensland Derby (2200m) is one of the features run at Doomben Racecourse on Stradbroke Handicap Day this year.

In recent years the geldings have dominated the Queensland Derby with no filly able to beat home the boys since Dariana (2010).

There is an 18-strong strong contingent of young female gallopers out to break the hoodoo this winter however, including the Gai Waterhouse’s daughter of O’Reilly Bohemian Lily.

The New Zealand expat was last seen winning the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) on April 25 at just her second run down under, and she is now leading markets for the Group 1 Queensland Oaks on Saturday May 30 for which she is also nominated.

Other exciting fillies nominated for the Queensland Derby this year include the Luke Oliver-trained Kansas Sunflower who runs in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) in Adelaide this weekend, Group 1 ATC Oaks fourth placed Rustic Melody for Kris Lees, ATC Oaks runner-up Winx and the fellow Chris Waller-trained Ballet Suite.

Sydney’s premier horseman Waller scored a Queensland Derby win only two years ago with Hawkspur (2013) and is back in 2015 with 10 nominees.

His exciting fillies Winx and Ballet Suite are joined by the likes of last start Gosford winner Zodiac Blues and progressive High Chaparral gelding Sadler’s Lake.

Along with Waterhouse’s smart filly Bohemian Lily there are a host of other last-start black-type winners nominated for this year’s Queensland Derby including local Sunshine Coast hopeful Worthy Cause and interstate raider Authoritarian.

John Zielke’s Choisir colt Worthy Cause has won his past two on the trot most recently beating home Upham by two lengths to take out the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic (1800m) on the Gold Coast on Anzac Day.

Second and third placegetters in the Gunsynd are also Derby-bound this winter with the Peter Moody-trained Mastercraftsman grey Upham (2^nd) and Ben Aherns’ Beaudesert-based Chillin With Dylan (3^rd).

Authoritarian meanwhile is prepared in Melbourne by Lee & Anthony Freedman, the Authorized gelding another April 25 winner having taken out the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) by an impressive three and a quarter-length margin.

Other Queensland Derby nominees coming out of the VRC St Leger include the Robbie Laing-trained runner-up Cuban Fighter and third past the post Gifted Lad representing New Zealand trainers Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young.

Along with the aforementioned Upham, Melbourne’s Moody has six other Derby hopefuls this season including Inauguration and Boom Time.

Flying Spur colt Boom Time has had 14 runs in WA for former trainer Trevor Andrews, but has now joined Moody at his Caulfield stables and is gearing up for his interstate debut.

He is in the mix for both the SA Derby on May 9 in Adelaide as well as the Queensland edition a month later, and was last seen running third behind classy Perth filly Delicacy in the Group 2 WATC Derby (2400m) at Ascot on April 11.

Late Queensland Derby 2015 nominations close on Friday May 1, before the final field is released on Wednesday June 3 and published right here at Races.com.au.

Make sure you’re ready to lock in your Queensland Derby selections at the best price online through Ladbrokes.com.au by opening your account with the country’s leading online bookmaker today!

2015 Queensland Derby Nominations

Doomben Racecourse – 06/06/2015