It’s Week 2 of The Championships and we kick the afternoon of Group 1 races off with the $1 million Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m). Join us for live commentary before the race start time of 2:35pm (AEST).
There are so many questions surrounding this race. What will the track rating be? Will the horses handle the track if it’s wet? Can some horses overturn their form?
Rain is expected on either Friday or Saturday, which could keep the track at its current rating of a soft 7.
That says we are looking for a horse who can run on the soft, but I’m leaning towards Thunder Lady. Finished a close third behind Fenway and First Seal last start after storming home from ninth. $6.50 is enough to get you interested.
Winx is another strong contender and at $4.20 we know the quality. However she hasn’t run over the distance and hasn’t won on a soft track.
Fenway beat all home in the Vinery Stud at big odds and is certainly quality, but hasn’t seen the Randwick track, the distance or a soft track. $5.50 is probably a good quote but the shock factor is gone in this horse.
You only have to look at the New Zealand horses last week to see their quality over this distance. As such Savaria ticks the boxes, distance and soft track, gets a slight weight relief from the New Zealand Oaks win, and $9 is an excellent quote.
Candelara stung at big odds in the last race on Monday. Will run the distance but on the short back-up you just don’t know, $13 is still a good price if you like her.
Ballet Suite loves the track, being unbeaten, and has placed on a soft surface. We know Ryan Moore is quality so $7 looks to create a bit of interest here.
Happy to take on Wine Tales, Sweet and Speedy, Adrift, Rustic Melody, Wildenstein, Gust of Wind and Zarzali.
Selections
1. Savaria 2. Thunder Lady 3. Winx 4. Fenway
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Australian Oaks result: 1st Gust Of Wind $18.30 2nd Winx $1.50 3rd Candelara $2.10 4th Rustic Melody