Kris Lees-trained stablemates Express Power and Soapy Star have run the quinella in the Gold Coast Bracelet but will take different paths for the rest of their campaigns.
Express Power ($4.40 fav) was ridden confidently by Jim Cassidy, striding past Soapy Star ($5) to win the Bracelet by a length.
Victorian Zombie Dancer ($7) completed a clean sweep of the placings for interstate-trained fillies when she finished third two lengths away.
The Newcastle-based Lees said Express Power would remain in Queensland and follow the traditional path for three-year-old fillies leading up to the Group One Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 1.
“After she ran second in the Adrian Knox the plan was always to bring her up here and aim for the Queensland Oaks and she’s taken a good step forward today,” Lees said.
“Soapy Star was game in defeat but I think she’ll struggle to beat the winner if we kept her up here so I’ll take her home and run in the Scone Guineas in a fortnight.”
Express Power was runner-up to subsequent Australian Oaks winner Royal Descent in the Adrian Knox and Lees said she would derive plenty of improvement from her Gold Coast win.
“She paraded a bit fresh before the race so there’s still plenty of improvement in her before the Queensland Oaks,” he said.
“Even though she was a fair way off them in the run it was always our plan to ride her back and keep her out of trouble.”
Cassidy said Express Power had her rivals covered well before the home turn.
“She had a lap on those fillies and that run will do her the world of good because she was a bit above herself before the race,” he said.
Brenton Avdulla, who rode Soapy Star, praised the filly’s courage but said Express Power was the superior stayer.
“She ran well but just found the 1800 metres a bit far today,” he said.
“Freshened up and back to a mile in a race like the Scone Guineas next start would be ideal for her.”
