New Zealand Oaks winning filly Jungle Rocket (Jungle Pocket) will commence her Queensland Winter Carnival campaign on Saturday in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) at the Gold Coast.

With the ultimate target for the Jeff McVean-trained galloper being the G1 Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm on May 30, Jungle Rocket will follow the traditional lead-in with this weekend’s outing followed by a longer trip over 2020m in the Doomben Roses on May 16.

The lightly-tried Jungle Pocket filly made a winning race debut in February, and added two subsequent second placings, before going on to score a brilliant win over the AJC Oaks winner Daffodil (NZ) in the G1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 14.

Owned in New South Wales by David Pleasance in partnership with wife Cynthia, daughter Louise Betts and husband Craig, Jungle Rocket will be ridden champion New Zealand apprentice James McDonald.

Jungle Rocket’s NZ-bred competition in the Listed fillies feature include the Andrew Scott-trained Walk In The Park (Thorn Park), the Roger James-trained La Etoile (Thorn Park), and the Tale of the Cat filly Nothin Leica Cat who was fourth to Daffodil in the AJC Oaks.