Only Words is into the Queensland Oaks 2021 for Chris Waller after a strong win in the Group 2 $250,000 The Roses (2000m) on Doomben Cup Day in Brisbane.

Only Words gets the chance to emulate Youngstar (pictured) in winning The Roses – Queensland Oaks double for Waller. Photo: Steve Hart.

The Group 1 $600,000 Queensland Oaks (2200m) remains a wide-open affair at Eagle Farm on June 5 with Only Words a good winner in the key lead-up over a number of other fillies that had genuine excuses.

This Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival master Sydney-based horseman Waller chases his fourth Queensland Oaks success following recent wins with the mighty Winx (2015), Egg Tart (2017) and Youngstar (2018) who won The Roses on her way towards the Group 1.

Nicely-bred Sweynesse filly Only Words now gets the chance to do the double for the stable again having improved on her lead-up third behind stablemate Grace And Harmony in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) to win over the 2000m at Doomben.

“We’re quite excited about Sweynesse as he was a horse that raced well in Australian and has now gone to New Zealand at stud…looks like he can throw a good horse,” Waller commented on Only Words’ sire post-victory.

Jockey Craig Williams made the most of a good midfield draw in The Roses aboard Only Words who showed her staying ability the closing stages in an upset win at 15/1.

Eventual last past the post Atonement lead The Roses field around, but was quickly tackled approaching the turn for home with Williams taking over in front 350m out aboard Only Words.

She stayed strong down the straight holding off the fast-finishing ATC Oaks third-placegetter and one-time favourite Bargain ($4.20) who got up into second late in a super effort.

“She was there at the 300m mark and gave a good, solid kick and it proved to be a winning one,” Waller said of Only Words.

In third rounding out The Roses trifecta was the Waller-trained New Zealand import Charms Star ($13) in her first run down under.

Waller also saddled-up the fourth-placed Easifar ($16) who was on pace throughout after crossing from her wide alley and narrowly denied a minor placing.

The winning trainer was also quick to credit the luckless run by the well-supported favourite, last start Bracelet winner Grace And Harmony ($3.80), who found herself right back from a bad gate with improvement likely looking ahead to the Oaks in a fortnight’s time.

“Barrier draws might have hurt Grace And Harmony’s chances, so don’t drop her just yet,” he told Sky Thoroughbred Central.

Only Words has firmed right in from $21 to occupy the second line of all-in Queensland Oaks betting at $7 through Ladbrokes.com.au.

Bargain remains steady at $8 to take out the Group 1, while Grace And Harmony has eased out from $6 to $8.

Charms Star and Easifar for Waller meanwhile have both come in slightly from $17 to $13 and $21 to $18 respectively.

Click here for the latest pre-field Queensland Oaks 2021 odds thanks to Ladbrokes.com.au.

2021 The Roses Results & Finishing Order

   Table Credit: Racing Australia.