The Queensland classics are at the mercy of the Kiwi connection.  And leading the charge from across the Tasman is that man Graeme Rogerson.

Rogie has done it all.  He reached the summit with Efficient in the 2007 Melbourne Cup and now he’s developing Dormello Stud into one of New Zealand’s leading nurseries.

The Rogerson trained filly Scarlett Lady was simply too good for the Aussie fillies in the G2 Doomben Roses on Saturday and she’s right on target for the G1 Queensland Oaks on June 4.

Scarlett Lady (3f Savabeel – On Call by Ironclad) shadowed Darley filly Divorces before storming down the outside to overhaul front-runner Savannah’s Choice (Redoute’s Choice).  She will now attempt to emulate Kiwi Queen Ethereal who completed the Doomben Roses – Queensland Oaks double in 2001.  

“She’ll be even better when she steps up to the Oaks distance,” winning apprentice James McDonald said.  “I was confident she could win the Oaks before this race and now my confidence has grown even more.”

Rogerson sent Scarlett Lady to Brisbane after an unbeaten campaign back home.  She earned a trip to the Sunshine State after victories in the LR Manawatu Breeders Stakes at Awapuni and G2 Travis Stakes at Te Rapa.

Scarlett Lady is by Rogerson’s Cox Plate winner Savabeel and she is the last foal of LR Feilding Gold Cup winner On Call.  Long-time Rogerson client Max Whitby, who also had a share in Savabeel, bought her for just $25,000 at the 2009 NZB Karaka yearling sale.

Rogerson’s Queensland Derby candidate Shootoff also enhanced his classic claims at Doomben on Saturday.

Shootoff (3g Duelled – Athenri by Zabeel) finished a little more than a length behind seasoned weight-for-age performers in the G1 Doomben Cup.  It was a winning trial for the Queensland Derby on June 11.

Shootoff had won the LR Frank Packer Plate at Randwick in April and then treated his older rivals with contempt in the Lord Mayor’s Cup at Canterbury on May 7.

Rogerson installed his sire Duelled as foundation stallion at Hamilton based Dormello Stud in 2006.  He had purchased Duelled for $300,000 at the 2004 Gold Coast Magic Millions and trained him to a G2 victory in the MVRC AAMI Vase.  

Duelled is a Redoute’s Choice three-quarter brother to Nothin’ Leica Dane.  Shootoff is from his first crop and Rogie retained him with a $35,000 vendor bid at the 2009 NZ Bloodstock HIT Sale.  

Evergreen Stud has catalogued his three quarter brother for the upcoming Magic Millions National yearling sale.  The bay or brown colt by Duelled from the Tights mare Intrim will parade as Lot 1986 at the Gold Coast on Monday, June 6.