Ritchie’s Artistic streak

RACING Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie says Saturday’s Gr I Queensland Oaks is Artistic’s target but she could yet contest the Queensland Derby. AAP’S Glenn Davis reports.

Trainer Shaune Ritchie hasn’t ruled out a Queensland Derby start for star New Zealand filly Artistic if she runs up to expectations in the Gr I Queensland Oaks.

Artistic, who races as Miss Artistic in Australia, and fellow Waikato filly Quintessential are joint favourites at $ 4.50 with TAB Sportsbet for Saturday’s Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm.

Artistic is on the fourth line of betting at $ 8 for the Derby on June 9, with Brambles the $ 2.80 favourite after his win in the Grand Prix on Saturday.

The filly will be striving to give New Zealand its third consecutive Queensland Oaks victory following last year’s success by Scarlett Lady and My Keepsake in 2010. Ritchie is delighted with the progress Artistic has made after her last-start second to Sydney filly Invest in the Gr III Doomben Roses (2000m) eight days ago.

At her only previous start in Queensland, the New Zealand Oaks winner was a fast-finishing fourth to Scorpio Queen in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet on May 5.

“I went into her last race thinking she would be a length below her best and she raced like that,” Ritchie said.

“I thought she would be a little off her best for the Roses but the race has topped her off nicely. She’s not a big filly but she had her chance last run. She got to the line like a real dour filly.

“I’m not sure if she will measure up to the big spring races in Melbourne, so the Queensland Derby is becoming a real possibility.”

Ritchie has been careful plotting Artistic’s winter course, acknowledging the difficulty in peaking three-year-olds twice in a season.

A daughter of boom New Zealand sire Darci Brahma, Artistic’s broodmare value has soared following her New Zealand Oaks victory and Ritchie is careful not to overtax her in case she does head to Melbourne for the spring.

Artistic is owned by her breeder, Brisbane businessman Dick Karreman, the principal of Cambridge’s The Oaks Stud.