Some outstanding fillies have emerged from the Group Three Fred Best Classic and this year’s edition looks set to continue the trend.
Stradbroke Handicap winner La Montagna, multiple Group One winner Gold Edition and Gai Waterhouse‘s brilliant but unlucky Najoom are just a few of the fillies to salute in the race in recent years.
It is a mark of the respect the Classic has earned that promising fillies from the three eastern states have accepted this year.
The Godolphin operation has a high opinion of Pohutukawa who was being hailed as an Oaks horse after a storming win in the Kembla Grange Classic in March.
But Oaks thoughts were scrapped when she finished sixth in the Group One Vinery Stakes in April.
Pohutukawa has since finished third in a Rosehill barrier trial with a Queensland campaign in mind.
Godolphin’s head trainer James Cummings said the filly hadn’t convinced him that she could run a strong 2000m or further and hence was dropping back in distance.
“But wet or dry we think she is ready to produce a big run on Saturday,” he said.
Caloundra trainer David Vandyke has also dropped Baccarat Baby in distance after her fourth in the Gold Coast Bracelet on May 4.
Vandyke feels Baccarat Baby, regarded as one of Queensland’s best fillies, will be better suited by shorter distances rather than an Oaks campaign.
Melbourne’s Mick Price and Michael Kent partnership have fillies Seabrook and Krone coming through the Sydney autumn carnival.