Racing: Kiwi fillies drawn wide in features

Rock Diva will contest the A$402,500 Queensland Oaks today from way out in barrier No 18. Photo / Trish Dunell

Luck's a fortune in barrier draws in major Australian races.

John Wheeler, often the joker, described wide barriers in Queensland when his horses landed them as "The visitor's draw".

There's no argument New Zealand fillies Costa Viva and Rock Diva lucked out completely in the barrier draws for the A$350,000 ($383,500) Queensland Guineas and A$402,500 Queensland Oaks.

Once the emergencies come out, Costa Viva will jump from gate No 15 in the Guineas and Rock Diva from No 18, which must be right alongside the crowd at the 2400m start in the Oaks.

Both fillies looked strong winning chances before the midweek barrier draw, now it's anyone's guess.

Local Jim Byrne has the job of finding Costa Viva a reasonable passage in the Guineas and Ty Angland, recently back from Hong Kong, has landed the Rock Diva mount replacing an injured Leith Innes.

There appear to be few options but for both fillies to drop to the back of the field early, otherwise they will pay the three-wide penalty Telepathic landed in last week's Grand Prix.

Rock Diva's stablemate Sancere looked the second string when she went to Queensland, but with two runs from as many starts there and a comfortable mid-field barrier she may well be the leading New Zealand chance. With only five career starts behind her, Sancerre is very much the filly on the rise.

Their trainer Tony Pike might have more luck in the last Eagle Farm race with Sacred Star, making his Australian debut. His best New Zealand form would be just about good enough to manage most of those opposing him today. Hot Snitzel is very good, but has to give Sacred Star 4.5kg.