By PAUL COURTS
FRESH from her successful Queensland debut last week, talented filly Miss Hoolligan is in peak condition for her first feature target according to trainer Rickie Alchin.
Alchin made the trip from New South Wales with several majors in mind beginning with Friday night’s Redcliffe Oaks.
Miss Hoolligan will then be readied for the South East Oaks at Albion Park on July 7 followed by the Queensland Oaks at the same venue a week later.
“The options were to run her through the grades back home or have a look at some of the better races in Queensland during the Winter Carnival,” Alchin said. “So I decided to bring her up and see how she goes.
“She’s settled in great, is enjoying the warmer weather and has come through her first run here just fine.
“This week will be a little tougher again, but I’m sure she is up to the challenge.”
Drawn barrier five, Miss Hoolligan slots into four with the removal of the emergency, with Alchin hoping the daughter of Bettors Delight can work to the lead.
“I’d love for her to find the top, but I’m not sure of the speed under her,” Alchin said. “We’ll just have to see what happens when the mobile pulls away.”
Selecting Aqua Miss as the one to beat, Alchin also rates her Grant Dixon-trained stablemate, Fame Assured, as a serious danger.
Aqua Miss, which finished second in last week’s Redcliffe Derby, has dawn barrier eight, with Fame Assured to come from 10.
“Grant’s pair are definitely the two to beat,” Alchin said. “They’ve drawn a little awkward on the back line, but they also have some class about them.”