A track gallop in Brisbane has convinced trainer Ciaron Maher Aloisia is fit to take her place in the Queensland Oaks Field.
Saturday’s Group One 2200m-race at Doomben will be the fourth Oaks the filly has contested this season.
The winner of the Thousand Guineas in October, Aloisia finished sixth in the VRC Oaks at Flemington in November, seventh in the Australian Oaks at Randwick in April before running sixth at her most recent start in the Australasian Oaks at Morphettville earlier this month.
A start in Saturday’s race was in jeopardy after the filly flew from Melbourne to Brisbane last week.
“She had a bit of an upset tummy when she got off the flight from Melbourne,” Maher told RSN927.
“We took her in (to the vets) for precaution. She had some fluids and she was out the next day.”
Maher said her work was strong on Tuesday when she quickened up nicely over the final 600m.
Now he wants a good barrier for Aloisia who has drawn poorly in six starts since her win in the Moonee Valley Vase last October.
“She’s going great but she’s had no luck in running and some terrible draws,” Maher said.
“Last start she ended up being forward from a wide alley and then got shuffled all the way back to last and then her sectionals were outstanding.
“She’s been up a while but she doesn’t need a lot of work and her runs have been spaced.
“Hopefully she can draw a gate this weekend and get a bit of luck.”
Aloisia is the $7 third favourite for the Oaks ahead of final acceptances with the Chris Waller-trained stablemates Youngstar and Another Dollar at $2.50 and $5 respectively.
