Affaire A Suivre chases G1 Oaks double

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Affaire A Suivre has come a long way in a short space of time and will chase a second Group 1 win, this time in Brisbane.

The Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday is Affaire A Suivre’s next assignment after her win in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on April 29.

The Chris Waller-trained Egg Tart took out the double in 2017.

Affaire A Suivre started her career at Coleraine last September in a 1600m maiden and for her next start travelled to the other side of Victoria to run on the synthetic track at Pakenham.

After chasing home the highly talented Globe first-up at Pakenham, Affaire A Suivre broke through for her maiden win at Cranbourne before going on to claim the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas ahead of her victory in the Australasian Oaks.

Maher said Affaire A Suivre had come a long way in a short period and had thrived since her win in Adelaide from where she was sent to the trainer’s Warwick Farm stable.

To keep Affaire A Suivre ticking over ahead of her trip to Brisbane, the filly had a 1250m trial at Hawkesbury on May 22 in which she finished third.

“I was rapt with her trial,” Maher said.

“She travelled fine. She’s a big scopey filly and seems in great order, she seems in similar order (to Adelaide) I would say.

“The extra distance shouldn’t worry her. She covered plenty of extra ground the other day and she looks healthy and rich in the coat as well.”

Maher said it would be a big effort to complete the Oaks double, adding there was extra benefits in taking the filly to Brisbane.

“It would be a big effort to do the double, but it’s a nice progression I feel,” Maher said.

“She showed nice ability last time around but just wasn’t strong enough to sustain it.

“She came on fairly quickly this time, got to the top level and then you get them up here in the sunshine, and win, lose or draw it’s a good spot for her to be leading into spring.”