Invest has put Sydney trainer Clarry Conners in with a strong chance of claiming his third Queensland Oaks following her narrow win in the Group Three Roses at Doomben.
Ridden by Melbourne jockey Peter Mertens, Invest ($7) edged out New Zealand Oaks winner Miss Artistic ($6) by a short neck in Saturday’s 2000m feature.
The Chris Waller-trained Scorpio Queen ($7.50) finished in third place, a half length away.
Conners pulled off a master stroke by removing winkers on the daughter of Dehere who was bought for $450,000 as a yearling at the Sydney Easter sale.
Her win was only her third from 14 starts but Conners believes the three-year-old is only just starting to develop as a staying three-year-old.
Conners has won the Queensland Oaks twice with Zagalia in 2003 and Allow three years later.
Invest broke a five-year Group One drought for Conners in the Australasian Oaks at Morphettville last month.
She was sent to the Geelong stables of Conners’ son Heath for the start of her Melbourne autumn carnival with a view towards Adelaide and the Australasian Oaks and then the Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm (2400m) on June 2.
“She really impressed when she won in Adelaide but she did it a lot tougher in this,” said Mertens after registering his first Group victory in Queensland.
“She’s only got a short sharp sprint but she stays.
“I had her in a nice spot out of the straight but then she got a bump and had to settle further back.”
Conners is confident the daughter of 2003 Flight Stakes winner Unearthly, will handle the 2400 metres of the Queensland Oaks.
“I think she’ll stay. It was a courageous win and she’s blooming up here,” he said.
“She wanted that run and it’ll top her off nicely for the Oaks.
“She had a relatively smooth run until she lost a couple of lengths. That’s when I nearly swore to myself.”
Trainer Shaune Ritchie was delighted with Miss Artistic’s effort as a Queensland Oaks trial.
Her jockey Chris Munce said Miss Artistic would be better suited over further ground and in a faster run race.
“The speed was too slow for her but I can’t make any excuses for her,” Munce said.
“She’ll be better and fitter when she gets to the Oaks.”
