Ana Royale could be surprise Queensland Derby runner

Tough staying filly Ana Royale could be a surprise runner in the Group 1 $600,000 Channel Seven Queensland Derby (2200m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Jockey Mark Zahra, above, is booked to ride Ana Royale in the Queenasland Derby at Doomben. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

Jockey Mark Zahra, above, is booked to ride Ana Royale in the Queenasland Derby at Doomben. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

Caulfield trainer Stuart Webb is considering paying the $18,000 late entry fee for Ana Royale to take her place in the Queensland Derby after the filly had no luck last Saturday when eighth to Egg Tart in the Group 1 $500,000 Treasury Brisbane Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Doomben.

“She has had an easy run so I am contemplating paying a late fee and backing up next Saturday,” Webb told RSN’s Racing Pulse.

“If she is bouncing around the place and eating all of her feed I think we probably will be running.”

Ana Royale was prominent in the stewards’ report for the Queensland Oaks which stated that she was slow to begin and had to be steadied near the 700m and was also held up for a run rounding the home turn and then did not obtain clear running until the 200m.

Webb said that Anne Royale got caught up behind some of the tiring fillies and went to the line virtually unextended.

“In those sort of races there are always some horses that don’t get the trip and they are going to be coming back on your lap,” Webb said.

“Ana Royale just needs a slow run into the race so it didn’t suit her at all.”

Webb has reported that Ana Royale has pulled up in terrific order and he has until final acceptance time on Wednesday morning to decide if her connections will pay the $18,000 late entry fee.

“Came through the run terrific. After the race you would not have known that she had been around, she was really unextended,” Webb said.

“She is getting in the roll and rolling four or five times and when she gets up she is eating all of her feed. She is very sound.”

“If she would have shown any signs at all if any of that wasn’t right she would be straight in the paddock because I think we have a nice filly going forward.”

Mark Zahra will get the ride again and has been aboard the Anacheeva filly for her last three starts, which includes a third to Egg Tart in the Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Oaks (registered as Australasian Oaks) (2000m) at Morphettville on May 6 and a win in the Group 3 $175,000 SA Fillies Classic (2500m) at Morphettville on May 20.

Ana Royale has been included in the Queensland Derby market order at $15 at Ladbrokes.com.au who have the Brian Smith trained Order Again as the $4.80 favourite.

Early market order for the Queensland Derby at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.80 Order Again, $5 Volatile Mix, $6 Ruthven, Shocking Luck, $9 Mongolian Wolf, $11 Black On Gold, $15 Rockstar Rebel, Violate, Ana Royale, $17 Here He Comes, Monasterio, Sizzling Bullet, $21 Fontein Lad, Mandalay Bay, Wu Gok, $34 Top Of The Range, $41 Garbhan, Royal Receiver, Shine Tak Star, $67 Dazzle Em Sid, Shadow Vision, $101 Hundred, The Barracuda, $201 Sidetrip, Wake Up Victa.

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.