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
Sam James
Roar Guru
That's all from the Oaks, but we have the fillies and mares sprinting for Group 1 glory in the Robert Sangster Stakes next. Join us here: http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/04/26/2014-robert-sangster-stakes-preview-live-blog-tips-results/
Sam James
Roar Guru
Nash and Brad Rawiller scoring Group 1's within ten minutes of one another. Both champion jockeys in their own right.
Sam James
Roar Guru
Trainer Darren Weir is in red hot form. He set May's Dream for this race and had her peaking on the day. He saddles up Platelet in the next and has a huge team set for the big Warrnambool carnival next week.
Sam James
Roar Guru
Star Fashion and Scratchy Bottom peeled out wide, but just peaked on their runs. Quayside stuck on well after sitting behind the leaders.
Sam James
Roar Guru
Brad Rawiller was extremely patient when the runs didn't come early in the straight. He weaved a passage through the field, hitting the line strongly for a well deserved Group 1 win. She was extremely consistent in the spring, running some great races behind Guelph and Kirramosa.
Sam James
Roar Guru
1ST - MAY'S DREAM 2ND - STAR FASHION 3RD - SCRATCHY BOTTOM 4TH - QUAYSIDE
Sam James
Roar Guru
Around the bend, Quayside in front with Girl in Flight feeling off heels with In Masquerade. Star Fashion is flashing down the outside with Scratchy Bottom and May's Dream pokes through between runners. May's Dream hits the front and holds on. Great win and great ride Brad Rawiller.
Sam James
Roar Guru
RACING! Pace is on with Akagera and the bolter Atatood leading from Quayside. Scratchy Bottom, Girl In Flight have all settled in the back half of the field at the 1000m.
Sam James
Roar Guru
Good luck; it is a very open race.
Scuba
Guest
Scratchy Bottom for me. Don't like the race much though
Sam James
Roar Guru
Horses are now moving into the barriers for the Australasian Oaks.
Sam James
Roar Guru
May's Dream has been crunched into $3.40 with Girl In Flight and Scratchy Bottom at $5.00.
Sam James
Roar Guru
Every Faith has the blinkers on for the first time today. This should sharpen her up, but from a wide gate she will get back.
Sam James
Roar Guru
Pace is going to be very important in this race. Perfect Company should get an easy lead, however after the first five races jockeys may be more eager to boot forward at the start.
Sam James
Roar Guru
In Masquerade is a beautiful filly. She is in great order today and with an inside draw, she should take a forward position.
Sam James
Roar Guru
Scratchy Bottom has benefited from a freshen up. Mick Kent is a master with these staying fillies.
Sam James
Roar Guru
Trainer Robbie Griffiths says Girl In Flight has done everything right in the lead up to today's race. He is worried about the barrier, but she is in top condition for the 2000m.
Sam James
Roar Guru
May's Dream looks in fantastic order. She has been set for the race, but must overcome barrier 13. I expect her to go forward as horses have struggled to make ground all day.
Sam James
Roar Guru
May's Dream is currently the favourite at $3.90 ahead of Girl in Flight and Scratchy Bottom.
Sam James
Roar Guru
Horses are entering the mounting yard for the Oaks. Not one of these horses has saluted at Group 1 level with only May's Dream, Every Faith and Artistic Lass the only fillies to have competed at the highest level.