Blinkers to go back on Beluga Blue in Queensland Oaks

Trainer Leon Macdonald will put the blinkers back on Beluga Blue when she lines up in the Group 1 $500,000 Treasury Casino & Hotel Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Beluga Blue, black and white colours above, will have the blinkers back on in the Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm. Photo by Jenny Barnes.

Beluga Blue, black and white colours above, will have the blinkers back on in the Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm. Photo by Jenny Barnes.

Beluga Blue had raced in blinkers since winning her maiden with the hood on at Balaklava in July last year, but Macdonald took the blinkers off the filly after she ran seventh to Abbey Marie in the Group 1 $400,000 Schweppes Oaks (registered as Australasian Oaks) (2000m) at Morphettville on May 7 but it didn’t help her when fourth to Chabaud in the Group 3 $120,000 Fillies Classic (2500m) at Morphettville on May 21.

“We took the blinkers off for the South Australian Classic to try to make her settle,” Macdonald told AAP.

“But she had to come wide off the track and that didn’t help.

“We are going to put the blinkers back on.

“At least I know she does run a mile-and-a-half.”

Beluga Blue’s regular rider Claire Lindop won’t be making the trip to Queensland this weekend and Macdonald has engaged BTC Cup winning jockey Glen Colless to ride the filly in the Queensland Oaks.

“He is a strong rider and he should be able to handle her,” said Macdonald who trains in partnership with Andrew Gluyas.

Beluga Blue is currently listed as one of the outsiders in the Queensland Oaks at $31 in an early market order at Ladbrokes.com.au.

The Bjorn Baker trained filly Imposing Lass is at the top of the market order at $6 ahead the Kiwi filly Provocative at $7 and Dawnie Perfect and Falkenberg, both marked as $8 chances.

Early market order for the Queensland Oaks at Ladbrokes.com.au: $6 Imposing Lass, $7 Provocative, $8 Dawnie Perfect, Falkenberg, $9 Romantic Maid, $10 Ambience, Self Esteem, $11 Kebede, Chabaud, $13 Tavi Bay, $15 Dulverton, Tap This, $17 Zasorceress, $21 Alaskan Rose, Beluga Blue, Mount Omei, Queens Of Wands, $26 Sebring Sally, $31 Ashlee Marie, Beluga Blue, Firebird Flyer.

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.