Karaka graduates Awesome Planet and Ekstreme led home a New Zealand Bloodstock quinella in the G3 Doomben Roses at Doomben on Saturday and both look well poised to strike in the G1 Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm on June 6.

The Brisbane winter carnival has been a happy hunting ground for NZ bred fillies in recent years, with the most notable being Ethereal, who won the 2001 Queensland Oaks before going on to capture the elusive Caulfield & Melbourne Cup double.

Sitting midfield for a majority of the journey, Awesome Planet (3f Giant’s Causeway-Dance on the Moon by Fasliyev) unleashed a powerful sprint before holding off Ekstreme (3f Ekraar-Cashcade by Anziyan) in the dying stages to score by a half head.

A $155,000 purchase by Dormello Stud at the 2007 Karaka Premier Sale, Awesome Planet finished seventh in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series this season behind G1 AJC Oaks winner Daffodil.

Awesome Planet is a direct descendent of Rose of Jericho, who is the dam of G1 winners Shinko King, Dr Devious, and Archway and took her earnings past the $250,000 mark. Dance The Moon has a weanling filly by Darci Brahma and is currently in foal to leading Zafonic sprinter Ifraaj.

An impressive eight fillies sold at Karaka made up the G3 Doomben Roses field of sixteen, with most expected to line up next in the G1 Queensland Oaks in three weeks time.