Queensland Oaks hopeful Kebede takes her place in Princess Stakes

Queensland Oaks hopeful Kebede will continue on a Winter Carnival Group 1 campaign when she runs in the Listed $100,000 Lion Dairy and Drinks Princess Stakes (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

Queensland Oaks hopeful Kebede will line up in the Princess Stakes at the Sunshine Coast. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Queensland Oaks hopeful Kebede will line up in the Princess Stakes at the Sunshine Coast. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Trainer Matthew Dunn had earmarked the Group 1 $500,000 Treasury Casino & Hotel Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 4 from the moment he brought the Redoute’s Choice filly home from the Magic Millions Sales.

“When I bought her I immediately thought she’d make an ideal Oaks filly,” Dunn told Racing Queensland News.

“She’s got the right pedigree to stay and I think she’s a very good filly.”

Kebede is undefeated from three starts this campaign and started her winning run when she broke through for her maiden win over 1200m Grafton on March 6.

She then went on to win a 1400m Class 1 at the Gold Coast on March 19 before stepping up to Saturday three year old class for an impressive victory over 1350m at Doomben on April 9 with Jim Byrne in the saddle.

Byrne takes the ride again on Kebede who has drawn barrier ten in the final field of eighteen plus four emergencies but could jump from gate seven with three of the emergencies drawn inside her.

Another good performance will see Kebede head to the Listed $125,000 Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 7 followed by a start in the Group 2 $175,000 Magic Millions The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on May 21 as she heads towards the Queensland Oaks.

Kebede is taking on her toughest assignment to date in the Princess Stakes but Dunn is confident that his filly will be able to shine through in the capacity field that includes Sydneysiders Look To The Stars, Queen Of Wands and Sheilarized.

“There’s a few from Sydney in this but I’m not scared of them,” Dunn Said.

The Clarry Conners trained Queen Of Wands is coming off a last start third to He’s Our Rokkii in the Group 3 $200,000 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on April 2 and Sheilarized comes to the Sunshine Coast as a last start winner of a 1600m Class 2 at Wyong on April 7.

And while Look To The Stars has been well beaten at her two Sydney Autumn Carnival runs, she had outstanding form during the 2015 Brisbane Winter Carnival with a win in the Group 2 $250,000 Mitavite Australia BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1350m) followed by a third to Press Statement in the Group 1 $600,000 BMW Australia J.J. Atkins (1600m) at Doomben.

 

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.