Queensland horses ready to strike big races at Sandown and Randwick

Former rugby league State of Origin great Billy Moore is well known for his iconic “Queenslander!” chant.

There's almost enough banana benders racing down south on Saturday for State of Origin rugby league great Billy Moore to reproduce his iconic "Queenslander" chant.

Moore went down in Origin folklore in 1995 when in Game 1 he was spied by a television camera screaming "Queenslander!" as the Maroons walked on to the field for the second half.

It has now become the rallying cry for Queenslanders everywhere and it might as well be transported to the racetrack on Saturday.

In one of Queensland's biggest southern state Group 1 contingents, a three-pronged army from the Sunshine State will contest the Oakleigh Plate at Sandown.

Uncommon James is the Queensland standout as an $8 chance to be ridden by Queenslander Ben Thompson.

Matt Hoysted and Steve O'Dea-trained stablemate Shooting For Gold is a $26 chance and will be ridden by Queensland apprentice Jaden Lloyd in the Group 1 dash where apprentices cannot claim.

"Queenslander" is the war cry of Queenslanders everywhere and an ode to State of Origin legend Billy Moore.

Shooting For Gold hasn't raced since Gold Coast Magic Millions day in January and is a weapon when kept fresh.

Rounding out the Queensland trio in the Oakleigh Plate is sharp Tony Gollan-trained sprinter Zoustyle who has won five from nine when first-up.

Zoustyle is a $34 chance, coming off an imposing trial win in Brisbane.

Fairytale Queensland two-year-old filly Party For Two will also fly the Queensland flag in Melbourne on Saturday, with connections paying the $55,000 Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes late entry fee after finishing a brave second in the Blue Diamond Prelude (fillies).

Plenty of Queensland eyes will also turn to Sydney where Gollan has Gold Coast Magic Millions winner Skirt The Law resuming in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes at Randwick.

To be ridden by Queenslander Ryan Maloney, Skirt The Law is on a path towards the $5m Golden Slipper where she is currently the $7 second favourite.

The filly is the $3 Sweet Embrace favourite in "all-in'' betting with TAB.

Skirt The Law will take the next step towards the Golden Slipper when she contest the Sweet Embrace Stakes at Randwick. Picture: Grant Peters-Trackside Photography

Hoysted and O'Dea have largely flown the flag for Queensland in recent times with Uncommon James scoring the Regal Roller Stakes last year.

Scallopini has been a two-time winner in Victoria, including scoring last Saturday at Flemington, while Shooting For Gold as also had success.

But this Saturday, there will be Queensland gallopers almost everywhere you look in bumper races in the southern states.