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The Australasian Oaks (2000m, Group 1, set weights) is the first Group 1 on the card at Morphettville, with race time scheduled for 3:35pm AEST. None of these fillies have saluted at the highest level, so join The Roar as we crown the newest entry to the Group 1 club.
This is the premier three-year-old fillies race in South Australia and officials have finally settled the date in late April.
The past two winners (Maybe Discreet and Invest) came through runs in the traditional lead-up, the Auraria Stakes. In 2010, Lights of Heaven came off a Moonee Valley stakes win when the race was held in March.
The pace will come from Perfect Company, with stablemate Navajo Run also settling in a handy position. Akagera showed early gate speed last preparation and may drift forward along with first emergency Miss Carobose.
The favourites, May’s Dream and Girl In Flight, have wide barriers. With a short run to the first turn, they may push forward.
Girl In Flight won the Auraria Stakes in fine style, having all the favours in the run. She was competitive with the best fillies in Melbourne this autumn and there is nothing in her form to suggest she won’t run out a strong 2000m. The horse could give trainer Robbie Griffiths a well-deserved first Group 1 win.
In Masquerade made good ground in the same race and has drawn a beautiful gate. Peter Moody has given this filly a faultless preparation and she is bred to run the trip.
May’s Dream is the class horse from the race, having been placed at Group 1 level in the Thousand Guineas behind Guelph last spring. She is fourth-up after running home strongly for third in the Auraria, suggesting she is primed to tackle the 2000m.
Of the others from the Auraria, Every Faith was luckless and has the blinkers on for the first time. Go on her previous win in the Laelia Stakes, when she stormed over the top of In Masquerade.
Perfect Company fought on nicely after leading and should have a soft time in front, while second emergency Rebelle finished the race of nicely and is screaming out for this trip.
Star Fashion closed strongly against the boys in the Port Adelaide Guineas after drawing the car park. She was thereabouts with the best fillies in the spring and looks to have returned a stronger filly.
Scratchy Bottom comes into the race off a six-week freshen, following her fifth against the boys in the Alistair Clark Stakes. This form is hard to match up due to the wet tracks in Sydney, although Villanova ran well in the Tulloch Stakes, having finished behind Scratchy Bottom at the Valley.
Artistic Lass was transferred to the Macdonald/Gluyas stable after her sound run in the Storm Queen, while Rezoned found trouble at Sandown last start after beating the older mares at the provincials.
Akagera goes back to fillies grade after some sound runs behind De Little Engine and Surging Wave, while Navajo Run backs up from Caulfield, where she found trouble last week but still fought on behind Happy As Hell.
This is a wide-open race, with the firm track suiting every filly. Many of the favourites have drawn wide barriers, but the history books says wide barriers are no problem with class always rising to the top.
Sam Kelly’s Tips
1. May’s Dream
2. Star Fashion
3. Perfect Company
4. Girl In Flight
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