Queensland Oaks Switch Suits Pygmy

The switch of venues for Saturday’s G1 Queensland Oaks meeting looks to have done no harm to the prospects of Godolphin filly Pygmy.

With the race being moved from Eagle Farm to Doomben, the distance had to be reduced from 2400m to 2200m, a move welcomed by trainer Darren Beadman.

“I think the switch from the 2400m at Eagle Farm to the 2200m here could work in her favour,” Beadman said.

“Even though she shows all the signs of being able to run out a good 2400m, she might be a bit more effective at the shorter trip at this stage. 

“She’s won really well at her last two at 2000m so it would have been a bigger step up in grade and distance had the race remained at Eagle Farm.

While Pygmy (Tommy Berry) is in peak form, she has drawn barrier 19, which means she will probably need to circle the field as she has done in her latest outings.

The switch of the Oaks meeting due to the state of the Eagle Farm track has also had a bearing on Godolphin’s other runners at the meeting.

In G2 Moreton Cup Godolphin will saddle Federal (Tommy Berry) and Handfast (Robbie Fradd), both of whom would have run in longer races had the meeting not been moved.

But Beadman believes both can acquit themselves well.

“Federal copped a lot of backwash behind Jungle Edge at Doomben a couple of weeks ago, so I’m not too bothered by how he went there,” he said.

“Originally this was a longer race, but it’s back to 1200m here which isn’t the best for him.

“His main race is down the track a bit yet, but I still expect him to get a nice run from barrier two and if he does he can figure in the finish.”

Simialrly, the change of venue isn’t ideal for the fillies Kinshachi (Tommy Berry) and Maternal (Kerrin McEvoy) in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes.

But Beadman said he was happy with the preparations of both, although Maternal’s drawn in barrier 21 has made her task more difficult.