Oaks runner-up on trial for Melbourne

Wednesday 10 October 2012, 4:00pm

Queensland Oaks runner-up Eliza Blues is on Chris Waller's short list for a trip to Melbourne, but first she has to prove herself closer to home.

The mare will line up in Saturday's Coniston Hotel Handicap over 1500 metres at Rosehill after pleasing the stable with her first-up effort over an unsuitable 1300m two weeks ago.

Eliza Blues finished 10th to Mahisara but Waller's racing manager Liam Prior said the fact she was racing out of her comfort zone added merit to her performance.

"She had a good blow, she was a bit big," Prior said.

"She ran an exceptional race for her, over that trip and in that grade. She's a four-year-old now but coming back from three-year-old fillies grade and taking on the older horses and the opposite sex, we were rapt with her.

"She will step up through the distances."

Eliza Blues has a handy second-up record and posted a victory over stablemate Coup Acclaim over 1550m at her second run last preparation.

If she can find winning form at her next couple of starts she will likely earn a trip to Melbourne.

Waller won the Group Two Matriarch Stakes (2000m) last year with Vintedge and that is the race he has earmarked for Eliza Blues.

Vintedge finished fifth in the Angst Stakes at the corresponding meeting last year before progressing to claim the Flemington feature less than a month later.

"Hopefully we can pick off a mares race in Melbourne towards the end of the carnival," Prior said.

"I think the 2000 metre race that Vintedge won towards the end of the carnival last year, that could be a target for her if she was to win a couple in Sydney."

– AAP

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