Trainer Steve O’Dea is reluctant to raise the bar to the Brisbane winter carnival just yet with talented filly Amber’s Crown despite her impressive last-start victory at Doomben.

It was her third score in four starts following two convincing wins at the Gold Coast.  The only defeat was on a Heavy 10 at the Gold Coast in March.

Amber’s Crown (2f Excites – Bovespa by More Than Ready) looked well above average in the Sky Racing TV Handicap but the lure of the QTIS race series will take precedence over black-type at this stage.

“She’s got loads of ability and we were always confident at Doomben after she worked so well,” O’Dea said.  “She’s got a big motor and a big future.”

Nevertheless, O’Dea will bypass the Listed Ken Russell Memorial to run his filly in the $150,000 QTIS600 Plate at Ipswich on May 2.  

Amber’s Crown was bred by Barbra Cathcart and is raced by North Queensland cane farmer George Rapisarda.  She cost just $14,000 as a foal from Baraton Stud at the 2009 Magic Millions National weanling sale.  

Her sire Excites is based at Vinery and he is the only son of Danewin at stud.  He was a G1 winner of the AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes and returned the following spring to finish second to Wonderful World in the G1 Caulfield Guineas.  

O’Dea is looking forward to what Amber’s Crown may deliver next season.  ”I can see her getting better as she matures,” he predicted.  “”Both Excites and Danewin were much better as three year-olds and I think she will be the same.’”

If O’Dea does head to the winter carnival with Amber’s Crown, her target is likely to be the Listed Lancaster Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on June 11.  O’Dea won the race two years ago with Miss Me Katy when it was known as the Sir Douglas Wadley Stakes.