Gold Coast trainer Bryan Guy hopes his Queensland Oaks picture will become clearer when stablemates Wabeel and In A Tangle clash at Doomben on Saturday.
Guy is aiming both fillies at the 2400-metre Group One feature at Eagle Farm in June and is confident both will acquit themselves well in Saturday’s Racing Retro Handicap (1350m).
Wabeel stamped herself as an Oaks contender by winning a 1640-metre maiden at Doomben on February 9 before flashing home from last to win against her own age over 1500 metres at Eagle Farm 17 days later.
Guy considered sending Wabeel to Sydney for the AJC Oaks at Randwick before deciding to concentrate on her home turf.
In A Tangle joined Wabeel on a Queensland Oaks path after snatching a last-stride victory over 1350 metres at Doomben on March 26.
Guy is excited about both fillies’ futures but on breeding believes Wabeel should prove a better stayer.
“Wabeel is a daughter of Commands out of a Zabeel mare so she should stay all day,” Guy said.
“Her mother is also a half-sister to Solvit who won a Cox Plate.
“I’m not sure whether In A Tangle can stay yet as she’s by Bradbury’s Luck whose progeny are generally sprinters.”
Guy has pencilled in the Listed Princess Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm on April 23 for the pair’s next clash.
“That will give me some guide whether they can stay and if they show they can I’ll run them both in the Gold Coast Bracelet before The Roses and the Oaks,” he said.
Guy has never won the Queensland Oaks but has had success in the Oaks lead-up races.
Lasoron won the Group Three Doomben Roses in 2007 while Pentacity took out the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet and was runner-up to Heavenly Glow in the Doomben Roses the following year.
“Lasoron was a very good filly and I wouldn’t like to compare these two fillies to her just yet,” he said.
“They have both drawn well and whoever gets the best luck will be hard to beat.”
AAP TURF
