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Cranbounre trainer Robbie Laing is nervously waiting for this morning’s Queensland Oaks 2014 acceptances to see whether his duo makes the 18-starter field for Saturday’s Eagle Farm feature.
Of the 28 nominations currently in the mix for this year’s $400,000 Group 1 Treasury Casino & Hotel Queensland Oaks (2400m), Laing has lightly-raced pair Falamonte and Savvy Kingstonette sitting 24th and 26th respectively on the ballot.
He’s sweating on a number of fillies above them in the order of entry not getting paid up for when Racing Queensland take final acceptances for the classic today.
Both are deserving of a shot at the Group 1 on the weekend, but he’s aware that they might not get in even as one of the five allowed emergencies.
“There’s 28 left in it at the moment but I know a couple of the favourites have gone amiss and a couple down the ballot order aren’t going to take part,” Laing told Racing Victoria.
“It’s a strange situation to be in.”
Falkirk filly Falamonte has won one of her four starts to date over 1850m at Kyneton Park back in March.
She was last seen stepping up to Group 3 company in Adelaide for the SA Fillies Classic over 2500m where she ran a commendable fourth behind Rezoned on an unsuitably slow track.
If she gets into the Queensland Oaks field Laing is confident Falamonte will improve on her SA Fillies Classic run after a good barrier trial win at home on Monday over 1190m.
“Falamonte isn’t a bad type of filly,” he said. “She should’ve run at least second at Caulfield two starts ago behind Bring Something [in the Listed Galilee Final over 2400m] at only the third run of her life.
“I was a shade disappointed with her last 100m in Adelaide last start but she did finish fourth behind three pretty handy fillies.
“She trialled terrific yesterday at Cranbourne over 1200m, she sat back and over-powered them and came away and won the trial.”
Laing flew Falamonte up from Victoria to Queensland on Tuesday night along with Luke Oliver’s late Oaks entry Khutulun and the Robert Smerdon-trained SA Fillies Classic third placegetter Every Faith.
Fellow New Zealand-bred Savvy Kingstonette meanwhile wasn’t on the flight, Laing waiting to see whether she makes the cut before booking her trip.
“They’re talking about the possible availability of a flight on Thursday night and if there is then Savvy Kingstonette will go up Thursday night,” he said.
She also has a one from four record, the daughter of Savabeel having broken her maiden status last time out.
Stepped up to 2060m at Cranbourne on May 10 she appreciated the extra distance and scored an easy win over a mediocre field but, like Falamonte, is listed as a $201 outsider in Queensland Oaks betting.
“Savvy Kingstonette is very dour and would only be a chance if the track was rain affected,” Laing said.
“She doesn’t have much of a turn of foot but she gets through the mud and just keeps on going.”
Short priced Oaks favourite Arabian Gold meanwhile is still under a cloud of doubt after pulling her shoe off and running over it pre-trackwork on Tuesday morning.
While she galloped on the course proper at Eagle Farm after the incident without showing signs of being sore, trainer David Vandyke knows the situation could worsen leading up to Saturday with a chance The Roses winner could develop an abscess.
“She is quite known for kicking and carrying on,” Vandyke told the Gold Coast Bulletin yesterday.
“She pulled her shoe half off and luckily I had some farrier tools here and we got the shoe off and bandaged it up and she seemed to gallop well.
“She shifted the plate and the nails weren’t in a good position but I was quick to act and got the shoe off and hopefully in the next 24-48 hours we won’t see any problems.”
Queensland Oaks 2014 final acceptances revealing the field will be released shortly so stay tuned.
In the meantime get ready to back your favouirte fillies in the weekend’s feature by opening an account online with Ladbrokes.com.au who will be offering Best Tote or SP + 20% on your Queensland Oaks winnings!
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