Rustic Melody's Trainer has confirmed a Queensland Oaks assignment for underrated filly Rustic Melody, who was perhaps the unluckiest loser at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday.
Rustic Melody, ridden by apprentice Koby Jennings, just failed to overhaul High Midnight in the Benchmark 75 Handicap (1900m) at her first outing since competing so well at The Championships last month.
“She should have won,” Lees said ruefully today.
“Koby was trying to get off the fence coming to the home turn and the filly lost her momentum.
“Ironically, the winner stayed hard on the fence, where we were throughout the race until that point.
“Rustic Melody has pulled up well and will definitely go to Brisbane for the Oaks.
“She is fit and I won’t race her again beforehand.”
Leading apprentice and 3kg claimer Samantha Clenton was to have ridden Rustic Melody last Saturday, but took ill and was unable to fulfil her commitments at the meeting. Jennings replaced her, but claimed only 2.5kg.
The $500,000 Oaks has a new venue and distance this year with Eagle Farm’s closure for a major track renovation.
It will be run at Doomben on May 30 over 2200m rather than the traditional 2400m journey, which looks set to suit high quality filly Rustic Melody.
She will be kept at home and sent her to Queensland a few days before the final three-year-old fillies’ classic of the season.
The stable has not yet confirmed a rider for her in the Oaks.
Rustic Melody, is a daughter of former tough Queensland Staying mare LAURINEL ARGIE, who won 11 times through her career, including once at Group 2 level.
She has been the model of consistency throughout her short career to date, having raced 11 times for two wins and six placings and earnings of almost $150,000.
Following a dominant Scone victory, she stepped up in class and finished a gallant second to Candelara in the Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) on a heavy Randwick surface on April 6.
Five days later at the same track and on another heavy surface, she finished fourth to Gust Of Wind in the Group 1 $1m ATC Australian Oaks (2400m).
Dynamic Syndications have been delighted with the significant pedigree updates to our SNITZEL x LAURINEL ARGIE Filly to be trained by Gerald Ryan, she is now the FULL-SISTER to a Gr1 performed and Gr3 placed daughter of the hottest sire in Australasia SNITZEL.
Our Filly has been incredibly popular to date and is currently over 50% reserved, our astute clients have seen the huge commercial appeal in this wonderful filly.
For more information, or to reserve your share do not hesitate to contact Adam Watt on 0409 464 378 or send him an email via adam@dynamicsyndications.com.au