Heathcote's dilemma - Oaks or Derby

By Glenn Davis

BRISBANE, May 25 AAP - Trainer Rob Heathcote may sacrifice a Group One Queensland Oaks start with Fillydelphia at Eagle Farm next week in favour of the Queensland Derby on June 11.

Heathcote has not nominated Fillydelphia for the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm but will consider paying a late entry if the filly is successful in the Group Three Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Heathcote, who has a strong hand in Saturday's Group One Doomben 10,000 with Victory Stakes winner Buffering, believes this year's band of fillies headed by Kiwi Scarlett Lady look superior to the male three-year-olds.

"I was very impressed with Scarlett Lady when she won The Roses on Saturday and I think the fillies have it over the boys this year," Heathcote said.

"If that's the case then it's going to be hard to beat Scarlett Lady in the Queensland Oaks."

A total of 21 fillies were paid up as first acceptors on Wednesday for the Queensland Oaks (2400m).

Apart from Fillydelphia, Heathcote also paid up for stablemate Hidden Kisses.

Heathcote said a comprehensive win from Fillydelphia in the Grand Prix could encourage her owners to pay a $22,000 late entry fee into the Queensland Derby.

"She couldn't run in both the Oaks and the Derby as it'd be three weeks in a row she would have raced," he said.

"The Oaks looks like being a tougher race than the Derby."

Heathcote pulled off a masterstroke by removing blinkers from Fillydelphia when she bounced back to her best form when winning the Group Three Rough Habit Plate at Doomben on May 14.

He also went searching for a change of luck by replacing Fillydelphia's regular rider Larry Cassidy with Luke Nolen.

"Larry has won on her four times and will be back on her in the Grand Prix," Heathcote said.

"It was a tough decision to take Larry off her last start but I only did it as a means of looking to change our luck."

Heathcote has already pencilled in a spring Melbourne trip for Fillydelphia alongside stablemates Buffering and Woorim.