2017 Queensland Oaks to be run at Doomben

Doomben will host the running of the Group 1 $500,000 Treasury Brisbane Queensland Oaks for the second time in three years this Saturday following Racing Queensland’s decision to transfer it away from Eagle Farm.

Egg Tart, above in green and red colours, is the favourite for the Queensland Oaks at Doomben. Photo by Jenny Barnes.

Egg Tart, above in green and red colours, is the favourite for the Queensland Oaks at Doomben. Photo by Jenny Barnes.

Champion mare Winx won the 2015 Queensland Oaks when it was run at Doomben over 2200m, reduced from it’s traditional distance of 2400m, while the Eagle Farm track was undergoing a complete reconstruction but the track has never raced up to expectations.

The 2016 Queensland Oaks was run on the opening day of the revamped Eagle Farm track in June last year but the surface has come under fire from day one and has failed to deliver an even racing surface.

This fact was highlighted last Saturday when the track was rated a heavy 8 for the running of the Group 1 $700,000 Darley Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) with no rainfall to report during the previous seven days and the surface came under heavy criticism from jockeys and trainers.

Racing Queensland on Sunday made the decision to transfer the Queensland Oaks meeting away from Eagle Farm and confirmed today that Doomben would be the venue for the Group 1 classic for the three year old fillies for 2017.

The Queensland Oaks will now be run over 2200m with the first acceptances remaining intact with the final field being released on Wednesday while the following distance changes for the supporting races are listed below –

  • Group 2 $175,000 Moreton Cup – was 1300m, is now 1200m
  • Listed $100,000 Lightning Handicap – was 1000m, is now 1050m
  • Listed $100,000 Spear Chief Handicap – was 1500m, is now 1600m
  • Listed $100,000 The Phoenix – was 1500m, is now 1350m

The distances for the remaining races on the program, namely the Group 2 $200,000 P J O’Shea Stakes (2200m), Listed $100,000 Bill Carter Stakes (1200m) & the Listed $100,000 Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) remain as were previously programmed.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.