Best Bets for Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm

There is another Super Saturday of racing at Eagle Farm this Saturday with Seven Oaks Day. The 10-race card features three Group One races, including the Queensland Oaks and Queensland Derby.

Here are the best bets for the bumper card on Seven Oaks Day.

BEST BET: PHILIA

Race number 8 (Queensland Oaks)

Philia goes into the Queensland Oaks bidding for a fifth straight victory, and it is hard to look past David Vandyke’s filly when predicting who will score in the Group One contest for fillies. Her trainer is predicting a big performance from his new stable star, so confidence is sky-high from her camp.

Three-time Melbourne Cup winner jockey Kerrin McEvoy has been booked to ride Philia in the Queensland Oaks. That experience is going to be invaluable in this $700,000 contest, as he will not be fazed by the occasion.

Philia has shown she has a big heart for races. She has battled hard on the track during her four wins and two runner-up finishes from six appearances. When put under pressure by her rivals, she has often found more and resisted their challenge.

The daughter of All Too Hard showed all her great qualities in her most recent win in the Group Two The Roses at Doomben last month. She found an extra gear in the final 200m to get the better of Jenni’s Meadow and Movin Out respectively.

This is likely to be Philia’s last run of the latest campaign before she has a well-deserved break. Will she finish her season in style with the biggest win of her career so far?

SECOND BEST BET: JOLIESTAR

Race number 7 (Kingsford-Smith Cup)

After a washout last weekend, the Kingsford-Smith Cup has been added to Seven Oaks Day, which is a real bonus to this meeting. Joliestar goes into this race on the back of a smart trial at Rosehill, and by all accounts, that workout has sharpened her up ahead of this Group One contest.

Chris Waller’s runner was too good for her rivals in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington back in March. There was then very little wrong with her performance when she finished second in the All Aged Stakes behind Jimmysstar.

The Stradbroke Handicap will be next for Joliestar. Her connections will hope to see a big run here as she bids to finish the season strongly. This 1300-metre distance is arguably her best now, and there are no doubts about her ability at this level.

Backers of Joliestar received a big boost with the news that Champion Jockey James McDonald will be on board in the Kingsford-Smith Cup. He is vying for an incredible 21st Group One success of the season. He will be full of confidence after winning the Champions and Charters Cup on board Voyage Bubble two weeks ago.

BEST VALUE: PARTY CRASHER

Race number 9 (Queensland Derby)

With three wins from five starts, Party Crasher is a lightly raced colt. His reputation continues to grow, and none more so following his latest win at Morphettville (2250m) where he stayed on strongly to score by just over two lengths.

Party Crasher is a horse who is going to stay further as his career progresses. He showed at Morphettville that he benefits from a strong gallop, which he should get again here. His connections will also be hoping for some rain before the Queensland Derby, as that will enhance his chances further.

Statuario and King Of Thunder arguably have the best pieces of form going into this Group One contest, but Party Crasher can live up to his name and gain his first triumph at this level at Eagle Farm.