Dowager Queen will go through the sales ring later this month but owner Max Whitby hopes to retain an interest in her if she wins The Roses at Doomben on Saturday.
Whitby, a former Australian Turf Club board member, races Dowager Queen in partnership with her co-trainer Graeme Rogerson.
Dowager Queen is set to go under the hammer on the second day of the Magic Millions National Broodmare sale on May 29 – four days before the Group One Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm.
Dowager Queen’s mother, Dower, and last year’s Queensland Oaks winner Scarlett Lady are also listed for sale the same day.
Dual Group One winner Scarlett Lady was retired after pulling up sore following the Group One The BMW at Rosehill in April.
Scarlett Lady won the 2011 Roses and Queensland Oaks for Whitby and was the early favourite for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups before she was injured in her unplaced run in the Underwood Stakes.
“I’m a trader and I’ve got about 75 horses and it’s a matter of turning stock over for me,” Whitby said.
“Dowager Queen is a rising four-year-old and I’ve got her full sister Dowager Princess who is showing a lot of ability in New Zealand.
“If I decide to travel her I’m also going to sell Dower at the sales and she’s in foal to O’Reilly.”
Whitby said it was unfortunate the select section of the Magic Millions broodmare sale was being held prior to the Queensland Oaks.
“It’s unfortunate the sale is before the Queensland Oaks,” he said.
“If Dowager Queen wins The Roses I’ll endeavour to do a deal with whoever buys her so I can still have some of the action for the Oaks.
“If she sells for a low price I’ll definitely be trying to do a deal.”
Dowager Queen has won four times from 22 starts but is yet to be successful in Australia from seven starts.
However, Whitby claims Dowager Queen has been unlucky on a number of occasions.
“She prefers wet tracks but she’s still been unlucky several times over here,” Whitby said.
The daughter of Savabeel was beaten nine lengths when runner-up to Mosheen in the Group One Crown Oaks at Flemington in November after being placed at the highest level in last year’s Sires’ Produce Stakes at Awapuni and Flight Stakes at Randwick.
Dowager Queen arrived at the Gold Coast on Wednesday following her last start fourth over 2000 metres at Te Rapa on April 28.
In her last Queensland appearance, Dowager Queen finished fourth in the 2011 Group One TJ Smith (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June.
