Scarlett Lady (NZ) will commence her Melbourne Cup campaign in the G1 Hawkes Bay Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Hastings at the end of August.

The rising four year-old mare will embark on a spring programme comprises five Group 1 races culminating in the Melbourne Cup on November 1.

Scarlett Lady (Savabeel) is a last-start winner of the Queensland Oaks and will be just one of the star attractions in the Challenge Stakes.  The field will include NZ bred G1 winners Wall Street (Montjeu) and Jimmy Choux (Thorn Park).

Trainer Graeme Rogerson could not be happier with the way Scarlett Lady has returned to the stable after a short sojourn in the paddock.  She was undefeated in six starts last time in and will gallop between races before going to Hastings.

A $25,000 yearling, Scarlett Lady raced into Cups contention during the Brisbane winter carnival.  The G1 Queensland Oaks is renowned for producing Cups contenders like NZ bred fillies Ethereal (Rhythm), Eskimo Queen (Shinko Queen) and Vouvray (Zabeel).

Scarlett Lady is generally quoted around $15 in pre-post markets for the Melbourne Cup.  She is on the second line of betting behind $13 favourite Maluckyday.