Talented filly Heidilicious will continue her build up to the Queensland Oaks when she goes for back-to-back wins at Sandown on Wednesday.
Malua Racing trainer John Sadler elected to run the Zabeel filly in the Slickpix Handicap (1800m) on the Hillside circuit over the longest trip she has faced to date.
The sister to 2010 VRC St Leger placegetter Sherpa Tenzing landed her first metropolitan win over 1600m on the Lakeside track on May 1 beating What A Beauty and Saint Angers.
“We could have put her on a flight to Queensland today (Tuesday) but we decided to give her this run before sending her up,” said Malua Racing’s racing manager Troy Corstens.
“If she runs well she’ll be going providing we can organise a suitable flight.
“She’ll run in the Doomben Roses on her way to the (Queensland) Oaks.”
Apprentice Ashley Thompson will replace James Winks on Heidilicious.
Thompson’s 3kg allowance brings the filly in with 55.5kg, only 2.5kg above the limit weight.
A $NZ165,000 yearling at the Karaka Premier Sale, Heidilicious has won twice and finished in the placings at her other two starts.
She is from the same family as outstanding racehorse and now leading stallion High Chaparral.
The Group One Queensland Oaks (2400m) is run at Eagle Farm on June 4.
Meanwhile, Malua Racing is aiming stablemates Dubawi Gold and Epic Dragon at the 2011 TROA/Luxbet Winter Championship series.
“Both of them handle the string out of the ground and being three-year-olds they should get into it quite well,” Corstens said.
“We took note that Doubtful Jack won the final as a three-year-old last year.
“I think they are both Group Three type horses but they need to come out and have a good preparation if they are going to go on and win a good race in the spring.”
The Peter Moody-trained Doubtful Jack went on from the final of the series to win the Group Three Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington at his next start.
The highest points scorer through the seven heats of the series will earn a $50,000 bonus for connections if that horse can go on and win the $200,000 Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Flemington on July 9.
The heats will be held at Cranbourne (1300m), Flemington (three, all over 1400m), Bendigo (1400m), Warrnambool (1300m) and Hamilton (1600m) from May 15 through to July 3.
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