Is Braun Brisbane bound?

Plans for classy three-year-old filly Shartin are in limbo. The Tasmanian Oaks winner made a triumphant return to the harness racing today (Monday) at Warragul following her stylish display at Hobart on March 19.

Starting at a short quote and clear punters elect, the Tintin In America filly strolled home for an effortless victory in the Downtowner Pace rating a slick 1:56.0 for the 1790m event.

Champion reinsman Chris Alford took the winning drive.

Originally, the Dean Braun trained filly was being readied for the Brisbane winter carnival with the $75,000 Queensland Oaks on July 8 the main target.

But those plans aren’t set in stone anymore.

“We’ve been building towards the Brisbane carnival but plans may have changed given the announcement from across the weekend. There’s a fair bit to consider and we’ll discuss that in the coming days.” Braun said.

The All Stars stable of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen have outlined plans for both of their standout fillies Spanish Armada and Partyon, both multiple feature race winners this season.

Spanish Armada claimed the Gr.1 $150,000 Diamond on Jewels day at Ashburton on Saturday in a time of 1:52.1 while running home her final 400m in an eye-popping 25.5 seconds.

The Bettors Delight filly now adds her Jewels triumph to her Sires' Stakes, Sales Series, Nevele R Final and NZ Oaks to her list of feature race victories this season with the promise of more to come.

And that has Braun on the back foot.

“They’re the best stable in the world for a reason so of course I’m going to rethink my plans, it’s a long way from Melbourne to Brisbane and it’s not a cheap exercise.

“Going all that way to meet a filly like her among others is something I’d like to avoid but the owners will make the final call. Spanish Armada could easily end up being one the best fillies of all time.

“Since the Tasmanian trip, the filly has come up in very good order and I’m very happy with the progress she’s made. I think she has quite a future, her speed is her best asset.”

Shartin has now won 4 of her 6 to date.

The New Zealand bred filly will next start in the final of the heat she contested today which is scheduled for TABCORP Park, Melton on June 17.

A start in the Listed $25,000 Gold Coast/Provincial Oaks at Albion Park on July 1 is also an option for Braun and his connections before the Queensland Oaks.

And Braun is no stranger to success in the Queensland Oaks having prepared previous winner Itz Nosurprisesthere (2013) while his son Noah co-owned Nike Franco (2014).

Chris Barsby