Oaks fillies have their final hitout

Kadina trainer Tyson Linke gave his two quality three-year-old fillies their final lead up to the South Australian Oaks last weekend.

The $20,000 South Australian Oaks (2230m) will be run at Globe Derby Park on Saturday, March 26.

Linke took Queen of Sharkz to Globe Derby Park on Saturday night while Badelaide raced at Kapunda on Sunday – both fillies won impressively.

Queen of Sharkz ($1.20 fav), Derby Park on Saturday night while Badelaide raced at Kapunda on Sunday – both fillies won impressively.

Queen of Sharkz ($1.20 fav), driven by Wayne Hill, scored an eight metre win in the Gowans Homes and Renovations Pace (2230m) beating a likely Oaks rival Perfectly Written ($4.50) with Amightyfinehorse ($20.80), 1-1/2 metres away third.

At Kapunda, Badelaide ($1.20 fav), scored by 22 metres from Rays Cadillac ($15.90) with Pat The Pony ($24.60), 6-1/2 metres away third.

“It is hard to say you weren’t completely happy when a filly wins rating 1:59.5 but I know Queen of Sharkz can do better,” Linke said.

“It was the first time she has backed up having won at Pirie a week earlier, and also I didn’t think she was quite as bright doing trackwork during the week."

“Now I have a fortnight to tinker with her work and get her right.”

After settling back on Friday night, Hill took Queen of Sharkz around to sit outside Perfectly Written which had led from gate one.

The pair really put the pressure on from the 500 metre mark and quickly sprinted away from the rest of the field.

Perfectly Written matched the winner until the home straight when Queen of Sharkz asserted her superiority.

At Kapunda, Badelaide was certainly just as impressive.

The filly also settled back early before driver Ryan Hryhorec asked her to go forward with a lap to go and she sprinted so sharply she went from last to cross to the lead on the fence before the field reached the turn out of the straight.

Once in front Badelaide was never challenged and raced away to win easily.

Hryhorec was impressed.

“She is a nice filly and Tyson is doing a great job with his team,” Hryhorec said.

“She sprinted really quickly and has a touch of class.”

Linke said Badelaide was improving all the time.

“Early on she was still a bit immature and could find her own problems, but she is getting better and better,” Linke said.

“At home Queen of Sharkz has had her measure in trackwork but Badelaide is narrowing the gap."

“Again, with her, I will keep working with her gear and work to have her right for the Oaks.”

Graham Fischer