BRISBANE Jan 23 AAP- Premier trainer Robert Heathcote says the desperate need for improved prizemoney in Queensland is highlighted by the top quality of Saturday's Bundaberg Distilling Three-Year-Old Handicap.

Heathcote has rising star filly Sea Red in the Eagle Farm 1500m race where she will be opposed by some very smart three-year-olds including Kelly Schweida's boom youngster Secret Harmony.

"I am not the only one who has pointed out we are behind the eight ball when it comes to qualifying for our winter feature races and in particular three-year-old races," he said.

"For instance, Sea Red has won two races and about $19,000. If she had won those races in Sydney it would be $46,000."

He said the prizemoney imbalance gave his southern counterparts a huge start with Queensland horses having to generally race beyond the time trainers would like to give them a break prior to a winter campaign.

Heathchote has made no secret of his belief Sea Red is a genuine Queensland Oaks (2400m) contender this winter.

However, he does not believe it is the filly's D-Day on Saturday.

"If she gets beaten we will have to push on to the 1600m race at Eagle Farm (on February 8)," he said.

"From experience I think if you can win one Saturday race and a couple of midweek races you should have enough money to qualify for the Gold Coast Bracelet, Doomben Roses and then the Oaks."

Heathcote remains adamant Sea Red will stay even though she is by sprinting sire Sebring.

"Her dam is by Jeune who won a Melbourne Cup and I reckon that is where the stamina comes from," Heathcote said.

He said interestingly, Sea Red was related to Golden Slipper winner Phelan Ready through her second dam, who is by another Melbourne Cup winner At Talaq.