Queman floors Oakleigh Plate rivals
Unsung South Australian homebred Queman (Mint Lane) brought a triumph for the battlers when he narrowly prevailed in a gripping two-horse scrap to win yesterday’s Oakleigh Plate (Gr 1, 1100m) at Caulfield.
The five-year-old, who before yesterday had contested just one Group race amid 20 starts, went to the barriers an unfancied $17 chance on the eighth line of betting, despite winning at the same course in his previous start in the WJ Adams Stakes (Listed, 1000m).
Ridden by Harry Coffey, Queman settled second from gate two behind the Anthony and Sam Freedman $11 shot Hypothetical (Pride Of Dubai) and emerged to make his challenge entering the straight at the 300-metre mark.
Contrasting a typical Oakleigh Plate massed charge, the leading two – lightweight chances with 52 kilograms – powered away from the rest of the field to settle into a desperate battle for the race.
Perhaps with Hypothetical’s early work from barrier nine telling in the end, it was Queman who narrowly ground past his brave rival and Michael Dee in the last few strides, winning by a nose. The Gavin Bedggood-trained Mornington Glory (Shalaa) completed a longshots’ trifecta in taking third at $41, a length and a half away in third.
Queman brought his Strathalbyn-based father-and-daughter trainers Shane and Cassie Oxlade their first Group 1 success, and just a fourth Group-level win, having previously scooped three Group 3s.
Continuing the modest backstory, Queman is the second stakes-winner for little–known American stallion Mint Lane (Maria’s Mon), who was brought to Australia in 2010 and retired in 2019 after standing that season in South Australia for just $3,300 (inc GST). Mint Lane’s other stakes-winner came via Willi Willi in the 2018 Albury Cup (Listed, 2000m).
Shane Oxlade yesterday revealed Queman was also bred by a battler, who completes the picture perfectly by going by the name of Boof Smith.
“Whether it’s Cassie or my other daughter Tamara, my wife, the whole family, we’re just battlers. We love racing, it’s been in our family all my life, it’s all I’ve done,” a delighted Oxlade said after the race.
“I’ve had some nice horses but to get one to come here on Oakleigh Plate day and pull it off, it’s pretty special.
“You get out of bed every day to train a good horse and to win a group race or a Group 1 is just the pinnacle of anything in our sport, isn’t it?”
Queman’s rise has been dramatic. Last April, he finished third in a Morphettville Benchmark 76 over 1100 metres. Since then he’s won five of his six starts, rising from Benchmark 82 to Group 1.
The Oxlades prepare a team of between 12 and 16 horses, which remarkably also includes a more fancied of yesterday’s Oakleigh Plate runners Sghirripa (Lonhro), who finished seventh at $7.50, picking up $15,000 to go with Queman’s $450,000, making for a hefty payday for the small stable.
Queman is the sole named foal of country maiden winner Langreen (Clangalang), who was covered by Twin Hills Stud stallion Peltzer (So You Think) last spring.
Coffey was thrilled to have added a second Group 1 success, after his win on Sopressa (So You Think) in the 2018 Australasian Oaks (Gr 1, 2000m) at Morphettville.
“I’ve won a Group 1, so I’ve had that feeling before, but I wanted to do it again so it wasn’t a fluke. Hopefully they flow on a bit now,” said the 28-year-old, pleased to have retained the ride after partnering Queman in the Adams.
“He just did it with a lot of ease, I thought in the Adams race they were good, fast horses, and just from the 600 onwards I knew I was going to win that race and I was quite taken with that.
“I just thought to myself, he’ll get the minimum in the Oakleigh Plate. Me and my manager spoke about it and really pushed hard to keep the ride. Shane and Cassie, they were loyal to me and I’m greatly appreciative of that. It’s a huge thrill.”
Of the beaten runners, smart mare Benedetta (Hellbent) came from the ruck in midfield and narrowly missed the placings in fourth first-up at $7.50. Much vaunted three-year-old colt King’s Gambit (I Am Invincible) resumed from barrier one as the $4.20 favourite, but after following the leaders on the fence he faded late to run eighth.
Speedy mare Asfoora (Flying Artie) was easy in betting at $9 and blew her chance by missing the start from gate 11, seeing little room behind the bulk of the field, getting clear far too late and finishing tenth.