Jockey John Allen plots Queensland Oaks raid on Ahuriri between busy Swan Hill Carnival rides

Group 1 jockey John Allen has reason to live out of the kitbag this weekend with 14 rides and more than 4000km – by land and sky – to be covered inside 72 hours.

Group 1 jockey John Allen has reason to live out of the kitbag this weekend with 14 rides and more than 4000km – by land and sky – to be covered inside 72 hours.

Allen has seven rides at Swan Hill on Friday, a 580km round-trip from Ballarat, before a flight to Brisbane on Saturday to partner Queensland Oaks third favourite Ahuriri for trainer Chris Waller.

The 19-time Group 1 winner, chasing a second fillies’ classic after success in the Australasian Oaks last year, has another six rides at Swan Hill on Sunday, including Junipal in the Country Cup.

1,2 for Almanzor in the VRC St Leger as AHURIRI (SW17) defeats Alma Rise.

22 of 39 stakes horses for Almanzor o/o mares carrying Danehill (9SW)@cwallerracing@LaneDamian@BlandfordLodge@BAXLTD@KarakaChat@CambridgeStud@NZTM_TWEET@Haras_d_Etreham@bloodstocknews#ANZACDaypic.twitter.com/Ijtz1y6Jw5

— Pedigree Update (@pedigreeupdate) April 25, 2024

Allen, a nine-time Derby winner, including the 2019 Queensland edition with Mr Quickie, wants the 2200m feature on Saturday at Eagle Farm to be “a good staying test”.

Ahuriri, a dominant Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) winner, settled too far back in the South Australian Derby (2500m) last start and finished fifth, beaten 4.2 lengths.

The Queensland Oaks is shorter again at 2200m.

“She has been racing well,” Allen, who has just the one ride at Eagle Farm on Saturday, said.

“Dropping back in trip might be the only concern but she looks a good stayer.

“I’m hoping it turns into a good staying test.”

A wide draw, barrier 20, while not ideal, could help Allen avoid traffic and find the best ground.

“She looks like a filly that really needs to flow into the race with a bit of momentum,” Allen said.

Eagle Farm has improved from a Soft 6 to 5 with drying conditions in Brisbane the past seven days.

However, trainers and jockeys with horses at Eagle Farm last week rated the track, the inside section especially, much worse and closer to a Heavy 9.

Allen’s rides at Swan Hill include Pintoff in the Golden Topaz on Friday.

“Pintoff could get back to his best,” Allen said. “I rode him last preparation, I haven’t ridden him since Ciaron (Maher) took him over. He was OK last start, this looks a suitable race for him.”

Pintoff has been unplaced but not beaten far in the Listed Hareeba Stakes and Listed Straight Six.

Originally published as Jockey John Allen plots Queensland Oaks raid on Ahuriri between busy Swan Hill Carnival rides