Scarlett Lady (NZ) Wins Queensland Oaks

The Graeme & Debbie Rogerson trained Scarlett Lady raced her way to the biggest win of her career on Saturday taking the Group 1 Treasury Casino Queensland Oaks (2400m), her sixth consecutive victory.

A last start winner of the famous Oaks prelude, the Group 2 The Roses, Scarlett Lady (NZ) (Savabeel x On Call) has become the first filly since the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal (NZ) in 2001 to win The Roses - Queensland Oaks double.

New Zealand's own James McDonald gave the daughter of Savabeel a beautiful ride in the feature, taking her back in transit and bringing her wide into the home straight. Her turn-of-foot put paid to the field in the final stages and she romped home to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

Winning trainer Graeme Rogerson is delighted with the result.

"This filly is going from strength to strength. She has come through the race in fantastic order and I am going to fly over and see her, and have a chat with her owner Max Whitby, and we will make a decision as to whether she will run in the Derby this weekend.

"She is an exciting filly and we are hoping she can emulate Ethereal's deeds in the big Cups races in the spring."

The win was the first Australian Group 1 victory for James McDonald, and the authority of the performance from both McDonald and Scarlett Lady suggests there is more to come.

It was also the first Group 1 win for her sire Savabeel who stands at Waikato Stud. Savabeel was trained by Graeme Rogerson, and part owned by Max Whitby, to win the Cox Plate and Spring Champion Stakes and his progeny have been having a top season on the track.

With stakes winners this season including Savabill, Kudakulari, Do Ra Mi and Dowager Queen, Scarlett Lady's Group 1 win has reinforced Savabeel's talent and potential as a young sire. Rogerson has a strong affiliation with Savabeel and sees a big future for the son of Zabeel.

"It's a great result for New Zealand and for Savabeel. We are lucky to have him over here; he is doing a wonderful job. He has had stakes winners of all ages, colts and fillies, and over distances from 1200 to 2400 metres.  

"He looks to be the heir to the great Zabeel and we hope he can continue to produce these types of horses. It is great to see so much support for him and there has been huge interest in him for the coming season.

"His season is not over though, he has Dowager Queen running this weekend in the TJ Smith and she looks in great order. She was unlucky on Saturday but the mile will suit her, so hopefully he can get another Group 1."

Scarlett Lady joins the ranks of kiwi three-year-old Group 1 winners including Lion Tamer (NZ), Brazilian Pulse (NZ), Lights of Heaven (NZ), Shamrocker (NZ) and Jimmy Choux (NZ) who have all won at Group 1 level in Australia this season.

Scarlett lady was bred by S A Luey & Waikato Stud and was was purchased by Whitby Bloodstock from Waikato Stud at the 2009 Karaka Premier Sale for $25,000. She has now won six of her ten starts for earnings in excess of $450,000.