Melbourne-bound mare Scarlett Lady (NZ) gave Te Rapa racegoers a glimpse of her ability with a pipe-opener between races on Saturday.

Scarlett Lady (Savabeel) completed her first public exercise since winning the G1 Queensland Oaks when working home over 1000m in 63.49s.

Trainer Graeme Rogerson has labelled her the best horse in New Zealand and he was very happy with the hit-out.  “She had two and a half weeks out after the Oaks and will resume at Hastings in a fortnight.

“She ran a fast time on a very heavy track and I let her work on a little bit after the winning post.  James (McDonald) said she is a lot stronger this time in.”

Scarlett Lady (NZ) will race first-up in the G1 Makfi Challenge Stakes on August 27.  It’s going to be hard for her over 1400m but she has got a lot of class will give Jimmy Choux a bit at the finish,” Rogerson explained.  “She will then head to Australia for G1 Underwood Stakes.  The Caulfield and Melbourne Cups her main targets.

Rogerson has a strong team heading into the spring with Dowager Queen (Savabeel) following a similar plan.  “She will have one run here before heading to Australia to run in the Flight Stakes followed by the Thousand Guineas, Cox Plate and VRC Oaks.

The stable’s Sydney based Queensland Derby winner Shootoff (Duelled) will start first-up this Saturday in the G2 Warwick Stakes (1400m).