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John Allen has become the latest jockey to pick up the ride on Media Award in the Queensland Oaks.
It did not take a lot to convince jockey John Allen to remain in Brisbane for at least another week.
Allen, a winner of three Derby races around Australia this season, has picked up the ride on Media Award in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Victorian-based jockey escaped to Queensland last Wednesday and partnered Explosive Jack into third place in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
Allen said he was booked to fly back to Victoria on Sunday morning, but got confirmations he was to ride the Chris Calthorpe-trained Media Award on Saturday evening.
Media Award was a last start winner of the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on May 1 when ridden by Luke Nolen.
But with the border closures in place due to the recent outbreak of COVID in Melbourne, those Victorian jockeys not already in Queensland cannot make the trip.
"There had been a little bit of word about it when the borders were closed and I got word on Friday that I might be in the running for it," Allen said.
"But it wasn't confirmed until Saturday evening.
"The plan was to fly home on Sunday morning but obviously she looks a live chance in a Group 1 race and I thought it was worth the while staying."
Allen is anticipating a quiet week and said he will wait and see what happens whether he returns to Melbourne after the Queensland Oaks or remains for the Stradbroke meeting the following week.
"I have no firm commitments for the following week but if something came about, I'd think about it," Allen said.
"I might be galloping the filly on Tuesday morning and I might have to go to the Sunshine Coast for some trials.
"Other than that, at this stage I'm just riding Saturday."