Ashlee Marie outside chance in Queensland Oaks

Ashlee Marie might be one of the outsiders of the field but veteran jockey Darren Gauci is not ruling out an upset win in the Group 1 $500,000 Treasury Casino & Hotel Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Veteran jockey Darren Gauci, above, will ride outsider Ashlee Maree in the Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

Veteran jockey Darren Gauci, above, will ride outsider Ashlee Maree in the Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

The Richard Laming trained filly has worked her way up through the classes with a recent win three starts back in a 2025m BenchMark 64 Handicap at Cranbourne on April 22 followed by a third in a 2400m BenchMark 64 Handicap at Bendigo on May 6.

Ashlee Marie then produced a career best run when second to Queensland Oaks rival Chabaud in the Group 3 $120,000 South Australian Fillies Classic (2500m) at Morphettville on May 21.

In Queensland Oaks betting at Ladbrokes.com.au, Ashlee Marie is listed as one of the outsiders of the field at $51 but Gauci can see her running a competitive race even at the those odds.

“She can stay and race on pace and I think it’s a really even race,” Gauci told The Courier-Mail.

“That was a good run when she finished second in the South Australian (Fillies’ Classic) and I think that form will stack up.”

In a very open betting race the Bjorn Baker trained Imposing Lass and Team Snowden’s filly Falkenberg share favouritism for the Queensland Oaks at $7 just ahead of Dawnie Perfect and Romantic Maid at $8.

Baker is looking for two Group 1 wins in two weeks with Imposing Lass after his new stable star Music Magnate took out the Group 1 $750,000 James Boag’s Premium Doomben 10000 (1350m) at Doomben last Saturday.

Imposing Lass made it four wins on the trot with her victory in the Listed $125,000 All-New Jaguar XE Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 7 before running third to Kebede in the Group 2 $175,000 Magic Millions The Roses (2000m) at Doomben a fortnight later.

Queensland Oaks market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $7 Falkenberg, Imposing Lass, $8 Romantic Maid, Dawnie Perfect, $9 Provocative, $11 Kebede, Ambience, $12 Chabaud, $13 Self Esteem, $15 Tavi Bay, $17 Sebring Sally, $19 Dulverton, $21 Tap This, $26 Zasorceress, Alaskan Rose, $31 Mount Omei, $34 Sahara Siren, $41 Beluga Blue, Queens Of Wands, $51 Ashlee Marie, Zafiki, $71 Meru.

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.