Artistic is chasing an Oaks double at Eagle Farm on June 2 when she contests the Queensland feature. Here she beats Zurella in the New Zealand Oaks. Photo / SNPA
Artistic is chasing an Oaks double at Eagle Farm on June 2 when she contests the Queensland feature. Here she beats Zurella in the New Zealand Oaks. Photo / SNPA
Trainer Shaune Ritchie hasn't ruled out a Queensland Derby start for star New Zealand filly Miss Artistic if she runs up to expectations in the Group One Queensland Oaks.
Miss Artistic and fellow Kiwi Quintessential are joint favourites at $4.50 with TAB Sportsbet for Saturday's Queensland Oaks (2400m) at EagleFarm.
Miss Artistic is on the fourth line of betting at $8 for the Derby on June 9 with Brambles the $2.80 favourite following his win in the Grand Prix on Saturday. The filly will be striving to give New Zealand its third consecutive Queensland Oaks victory after last year's success by Scarlett Lady and Miss Keepsake in 2010.
Ritchie is delighted with the progress Miss Artistic has made after her last start second to Sydney filly Invest in the Group Three Roses (2000m) at Doomben eight days ago.
At her only previous start in Queensland, the New Zealand Oaks winner was a fast-finishing fourth to Scorpio Queen in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet on May 5. "I went into her last race thinking she would be a length below her best and she raced like that," Ritchie said.
"I thought she would be a little off her best for The Roses but the race has topped her off nicely. She's not a big filly but she had her chance last run. She got to the line like a real dour filly.
"I'm not sure if she will measure up to the big spring races in Melbourne so the Queensland Derby is becoming a real possibility."
Ritchie has been careful plotting Miss Artistic's winter course, acknowledging the difficulty in peaking three-year-olds twice in a season.
A daughter of boom New Zealand sire Darci Brahma, Miss Artistic's broodmare value has soared following her New Zealand Oaks victory and Ritchie is careful not to overtax her in case she does head to Melbourne for the spring.
Miss Artistic is owned by Brisbane businessman Dick Karreman who is the principal of The Oaks Stud in New Zealand.
