Trainer Robert Smerdon could produce a two prong attack on the Group 1 $400,000 Treasury Casino & Hotel Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm on May 31 with his two fillies Rezoned and Every Faith.
Rezoned, above, could be one of two runners trainer Robert Smerdon will have for the Queensland Oaks. Photo by Jenny Barnes.
Both fillies are nominated for the Queensland Oaks but Smerdon won’t confirm a start until after he assesses them following their engagements at Morphettville last Saturday.
Rezoned, with Mark Zahra in the saddle, took out the Group 3 $115,000 Sportingbet SA Fillies Classic (2500m) while her stablemate Every Faith made up plenty of ground to run third for Simon Price.
“We’ll will get them home, have a look at them and gives ourselves a week to look at the situation,” Smerdon told Racing Network.
“Obviously, they wouldn’t need another run.”
Smerdon is keen to keep the two fillies racing against their own age while in form as it is always hard to take the next step up in the Spring against the older horses.
“A lot of horses who are competitive or even dominant against their own age at level weights struggle when they get into the big, wide world,” Smerdon said.
“It’s hard to say, it’s always good to make the most of their three-year-old year.”
Rezoned, by champion sire of stayers Zabeel, showed her liking for the longer journey when she stepped up to the 2500m of the SA Fillies Classic after only betting beaten less than five lengths when eleventh to May’s Dream in the Group 1 $400,000 Schweppes Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on April 26.
And Every Faith also showed her staying ability following her ninth in the Schweppes Oaks.
Rezoned is currently marked as an $11 chance for the Queensland Oaks behind $4.60 favourite Telepathic who put in an eye catching performance coming from well back in the field to run second to Amexed in the Group 3 $125,000 Mittys Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben last Saturday.
Well performed Kiwi filly Hera, now trained by Kris Lees at Broadmeadows, is the second pick at $5 ahead of Arabian Gold at $6 and May’s Dream at $9 while Every Faith is at the good odds of $21.
