Star local fillies Pelosi and Fond Memories are in perfect shape ahead of their next assignment.
The classy pair fought out the finish of the AQWA Constructions Pace yesterday (Tuesday) at Albion Park with only a head separating the two rivals in the 1660m event.
Pelosi rated 1:55.0 winning the 1660m event while the final quarter was timed in 26.8 seconds after sitting parked.
Prepared by Anna Woodmansey and handled by regular reinsman John Cremin, the American Ideal filly is unbeaten this preparation winning both starts to date and will now head to the Gr.2 $50,660 Changeover South East Oaks at Albion Park on Saturday week (July 11), the opening night of the revised 2020 Queensland winter carnival.
Pelosi is owned by her breeder, Wayne Honan.
The dual Gr.1 winning filly looks to have returned in sparkling form and will command plenty of respect for her home state feature.
But key rivals will include Fond Memories, a winner of the Gr.2 QBRED Triad feature two starts ago while her stablemate True Stepper will also be strongly considered.
Both fillies are prepared by Grant and Trista Dixon.
Another local filly chasing the South East Oaks next week is proven Gr.1 performer Jiggle And Jive, an easy last start winner at Albion Park in 1:53.8.
Prepared by Aileen Smith at Redcliffe, the Bettors Delight filly will have her final lead-up run this Friday night at Albion Park when she tackles the Changeover @ Burwood Stud Pace over the Oaks distance of 2138m.
Back in May, Jiggle And Jive finished third behind Fond Memories and True Stepper in the QBRED Triad 3yo Fillies Final.
Last season, Jiggle And Jive won the Gr.1 $100,830 QBRED Triad Final at Albion Park.
Interestingly, Bathurst filly Jenden Strike makes her local debut this weekend in preparation for next week’s South East Oaks.
The Chris Frisby trained filly will tackle Jiggle And Jive on Friday night.
A last start winner of the Young Oaks back on March 13, the Betterthancheddar filly has had two recent trials at her home track in readiness for her return.
Jenden Strike qualified for both the Victoria and New South Wales Oaks this season.
Meanwhile, the Chantal Turpin trained duo Miss Ruby Sunshine and A Rainbow Delight have been kept up to the mark with a recent trial at Albion Park.
Miss Ruby Sunshine defeated open class mare Justalittle Torque and A Rainbow Delight when leading throughout in the 1660m trial in a time of 1:56.7.
The final split was timed in 26.5 seconds.
Chris Barsby