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date | Sat 13 Apr 2024 |
track | Randwick |
distance | 2400m |
conditions | Set Weights |
status | Group 1 |
prizemoney | $1,000,000 |
The Australian Oaks has long been seen as a key pointer to the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate the following spring. Unlike the VRC Oaks run in November, the fillies that contest this race are more mature, and have had more time to establish their class and credentials.
Verry Elleegant is a recent winner that went on to win both Cups, in different seasons, and was placed in a Cox Plate as well.
The Vinery Stud Stakes, run two weeks earlier at Rosehill over 2000m, is always the key lead-up race given many fillies take their place in both. Hungry Heart is the latest horse to do the double, in 2021.
Pavitra is the clear favourite this year, and while she is very consistent having never missed a place from seven starts between 1600m-2500m on a soft track or better, there is a question mark about how strong she is at the end of a true staying test.
In the Vinery Stud last start, Pavitra finished less than a length in front of a line of five horses, which casts doubt over the quality of all of them. You may side with a value selection like Pierossa, who was the best finisher of that race.
But perhaps a different formline altogether is the way to go? In 2020, we saw Colette back-up from winning the Adrian Knox on a heavy track to taking out the Oaks a week later – Arts, shaping as a similar profile, is looking to do the same thing.
The Oaks doesn’t look a particularly memorable race on paper this year, but there is still some intrigue given the rising star Prowess isn’t here. She made a mess of her rivals in the Vinery Stud last start.
Pavitra and Pierossa were touched on above, as two of the nine horses that finished behind Prowess and are lining up in this. Minor chances can be given to Fireburn, Polygon and Byron Belle from that race, while others would need to turn things around significantly
Pennyweka is the interesting runner, coming off a big NZ Oaks win herself on rain-affected going. Her Kiwi male counterparts didn’t stand up in the Derby last week, which puts a question mark on their crop of three-year-old’s.
Selections: 1.Arts 2.Pierossa 3.Pavitra 4.Pennyweka
EACH WAY
* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds
YEAR | HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINERS |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | Pennyweka | Damian Lane | Jim Wallace |
2022 | El Patroness | Damian Lane | Danny O'Brien |
2021 | Hungry Heart | Kerrin McEvoy | Chris Waller |
2020 | Colette | Glen Boss | James Cummings |
2019 | Verry Elleegant | James McDonald | Chris Waller |
2018 | Unforgotten | Hugh Bowman | Chris Waller |
2017 | Bonneval | Hugh Bowman | Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman |
2016 | Sofia Rosa | Hugh Bowman | Stephen Marsh |
2015 | Gust Of Wind | Tye Angland | John Sargent |
2014 | Rising Romance | James McDonald | Donna Logan |
2013 | Royal Descent | Nash Rawiller | Chris Waller |
2012 | Streama | Hugh Bowman | Guy Walter |
2011 | Absolutely | Brad Rawiller | Michael Kent |
2010 | Once Were Wild | Nash Rawiller | Gai Waterhouse |