Restricted class filly Pygmy will be taking a big step up in class when she competes in the Group 1 $500,000 Treasury Brisbane Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Doomben on Saturday.
The Chris Waller trained Egg Tart, above in green and red colours, is one of the top chances in the Queensland Oaks at Doomben. Photo by Jenny Barnes.
The Darren Beadman trained Pygmy is a winner at her last two starts over 2000m in a Class 1 Plate at Kembla Grange on May 2 and in a BenchMark 70 Handicap at Hawkesbury on May 18.
Godolphin Australia boss Henty Plumptre admits that Pygmy will be facing a tough task in the Group 1 for the three year old fillies but was willing to give her a chance to be tested in top company.
“She’s quite a long, stringy looking filly, every time John put the pressure on her she’d cough, or get a temperature, so we never really had a chance to get to the bottom of her in the spring,” Plumptre told The Courier-Mail.
“She’s probably only a rough chance this week, but she’s done nothing wrong, albeit in the provincials. She probably deserves a shy at the stumps.”
The Queensland Oaks was originally programmed to be run at its traditional home at Eagle Farm but has been controversially transferred to Doomben this weekend following major criticism of the reconstructed Eagle Farm track which continues to underperform.
There are twenty-0ne fillies remaining in the Queensland Oaks at first acceptance time and Pygmy will have to take on Chris Waller’s last start Group 1 Schweppes Oaks winner Egg Tart and Gold Coast winner Dawn Wall, South Australian Fillies Classic winner Ana Royale and Darren Weir’s last start The Roses winner Kenedna.
