Well-Deserved Break For Star Filly

Scarlett Lady’s connections will resist the temptation to chase another Gr 1 prize this weekend with their star daughter of Savabeel. Instead they have opted to send the filly back to New Zealand for a break and then prepare for the feature events of the Melbourne spring carnival.

The Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained WS graduate has made outstanding progress this preparation with six consecutive wins to her credit and culminating in her Queensland Oaks success. Consideration was given to a start in Saturday’s Queensland Derby but time was called with an eye to the future and she will be nominated for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and the Cox Plate.

The stable will still have quality Gr 1 representation at Eagle Farm on Saturday with another daughter of Savabeel. Dowager Queen will take her place in the Gr 1 TJ Smith Stakes after she finished an unlucky fourth in the Gr 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes last weekend.

“She got home really well,” Debbie Rogerson said. “She missed the start and was second last and that’s just not her racing style.” Dowager Queen had completed the Listed double of the Champagne Stakes and the Rotorua Stakes before her Australian debut.