The annual Oaks Day at Flemington is once again upon us as crowds flock in their finest attire on Thursday.
On the racetrack, the fillies and mares battle it out in the race of the day with gallopers competing over 2500m.
She’s Extreme for Anthony Cummings is the favourite and runners will be running on a Soft track.
Brendan Bunworth delivers his best bets for every race below!
Oaks Day Preview & Betting Tips
Race 1
(12) Tahlequah for Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr get the nod here on the back of her excellent 2nd at Pakenham two starts back. On that occasion she was a long way back and stormed to the line so the big Flemington track may assist her if she does again run on. Her last two starts have been on the synthetic but is back on the turf here.
(7) Matron Bullwinkel has arguably the best trainers and best jockey by her side and should go well second up. She has placed second up before and on that occasion was only beaten half a length.
(1) Arktika will have to carry 60.5kg for Johnny Allen after winning last start at Pakenham at big odds. Allen has ridden her before and won on her so knows her well.
(17) Missy Longport is always thereabouts and will be fitter now after two runs in.
(12) Tahlequah WIN
$7.50 (1 Unit)
Race 2
(2) Charm Stone is the pick in what is a very hard race for the first starters. Price & Kent train and barrier 12 gives Damien Lane a chance to prove which side of the track she wants to come down. I'm predicting it may be the outside after seeing the inside is slightly off on Tuesday.
(12) Empress of Wonder for Annabel Neasham and JMAC will be hoping the grandstand is the place to be after drawing barrier 20.
(16) Zousuko is next pick for John McArdle and he should get a run as first emergency.
(15) Spicy Margs has barrier one for Price & Kent Jnr and may try their luck on the rails.
No Bet.
Race 3
(8) Roots is having a good prep and will likely sit just behind Climbing Star in the run. She has won three from four starts on Soft tracks and will be one of the shorter priced favourites of the day for the Waller stable. It’s her first go at the track which is the only query.
(12) Climbing Star is one from one of the Soft going and she could have made it two in a row last start but just went down by a head at The Valley. She will settle just off them in around fourth place and should get a good run in transit for Craig Williams.
(5) Fortunate Kiss hasn't placed in seven starts but has been luckless in four of those. My concern is that she may be just one of those horses. 11-1 though may be enticing to find out.
(4) Sur La Mer is consistent and goes well on rain affected surfaces. The more rain, the better.
(8) Roots WIN
$2.45 (3 Units)
Race 4
(15) Far From Discreet is at any old odds here but was only three lengths behind one of the favourites in Portray last prep in one of their encounters. I feel the Stokes trained filly should be shorter in the market and may be worth a play at the Place markets. Zac Spain stays on and knows her well.
(4) Portray will be up on pace for James Cummings and JMac. She is lightly raced and has won on the Soft before. First up after a short freshen up.
(12) Grey River is looking for three on the bounce but will find this harder than her recent South Australian encounters.
(11) Hell Hath No Fury will settle midfield with Blake Shinn choosing to stay on.
(15) Far From Discreet Place
$19.00 (0.50 units)
Race 5
(8) War Eternal hasn't won in a while but is better than recent form indicates. She was better last time at Randwick when fourth and she does seem to go better when she is ridden just off the pace. There is plenty of pace in this race and she will be running on late for Bjorn Baker.
(14) Right You Are goes from Heavy ground to Soft which is a tick. Any rain on the day won’t be appreciated. Third up from a spell here and should be ready to fire.
(4) Alcyone is lightly raced but another who is ready to fire on a preferred surface. He comes over from NSW and has the right combination of trainer/jockey by his side.
(11) Fifth Position is slightly down in class and is very consistent. A top four finish wont surprise with Ollie on board.
(8) War Eternal Each-way
$8.00/$2.70 (0.50 Units)
Race 6
(3) Zoustyle has won nine from 19 starts and is always running in very good races. He is slightly down in grade here and may try to lead all of the way for Ollie. He has no dramas with a Soft track but prefers it not to be Heavy. Due for a win again and is 100 percent fit now.
(1) Kallos has form behind Asfoora and likes Soft tracks. He has won at Flemington before and should get a nice run in the race from Kah.
(5) Joyful Fortune won at Flemington on September 18 and his 10th behind Giga Kick wasn't terrible. Mark Newnham is training well, and he will be the likely fav.
(4) Athleric will be stalking the leaders after having a freshen up in readiness for this.
(3) Zoustyle WIN
$4 (3 Units)
Race 7
(1) Maximus Prime has a nice barrier in two but does have to carry 60.5kg. It was a good win on Geelong Cup Day, and he should be right in the mix after going forward early. Has won both the Soft and the Heavy has won second up before. Archie Alexander usually snares a couple of Spring winners in town, and he has a big chance of doing so here.
(9) Prowling for Greg Eurell is racing very well and is going for three wins in a row. He won’t want any rain on the day, and he is another who will push forward.
(3) Polanco almost got there last start at big odds, but this race looks harder. Can place.
(13) Corona Lad ran on well for 2nd at Caulfield last start and will get back in this race too. There is a bit of pace on which will suit.
(1) Maximus Prime WIN
$6.50 (1 Unit)
Race 8
(2) Zennzella was huge last week at Flemington when winning on Derby Day. She settled up on pace and then hit the lead with swoopers coming down the outside looking like they would run over the top of her, but no she kicked on in good time and won well. She will go forward again with Pavitra, but I think she might settle behind the leader or in the one-one in this race given the extra distance. Maher & Eustace are happy with the way she pulled up and are confident she will run the trip. JMac stays on and she will likely start second favourite.
(1) She’s Extreme ran on well when beaten by Sharp and Smart last start (3rd) and from barrier one should be able to sit midfield on the rails. She will need a bit of luck at some stage as likely she will want to get off the fence with Tommy Berry on top. Anthony Cummings is confident, and more rain won't hurt also.
(3) Renaissance Woman got too far back in the same race as She’s Extreme last time but did plug away pretty well. It looks as though the distance won’t worry her and having two runs over the 2000m in recent weeks will help. It's her first try at this track and it does look like she will enjoy it.
(5) Foxy Cleopatra stormed home for second last start and probably was a good thing beaten. Blake Shinn takes the ride again.
(2) Zennzella WIN
$5.50 (2 Units)
Race 9
(16) Spicy Hotpot for Newnham and Ollie will be at good odds but might get the last crack at them over the final 100m. The filly hasn't run for a month, but it seems as though it was a stable plan for her and from barrier four Ollie can decide which side to run on down the straight.
(12) Bay Thirteen is in good form and will press forward from barrier 18 towards the outside fence. Matt Laurie is in good form as a trainer and the horse will be stronger third up from a four-month spell.
(17) Red Card will go forward but hasn't shown anything on Soft tracks as yet. Kah on is a plus.
(18) Greece was scratched last start on the Heavy and if it remains Soft, should run well.
(16) Spicy Hotpot Each-way
$19.00/$6.00 (1 Unit)
