Incredibly trainer Aaron Purcell believes punters are yet to see the best of Aloisia who is set to excel getting out over the 2500m of the Group 1 $1 million VRC Kennedy Oaks (2500m) this Thursday.
Aloisia chases the Moonee Valley Vase – Crown Oaks double achieved by Jameka in 2015. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Formerly the Crown Oaks and registered as the VRC Oaks, this season’s event is known as the Kennedy Oaks for sponsorship purposes and features a final field of twelve three-year-old fillies.
All the rage in Kennedy Oaks betting at Ladbrokes.com.au after an outstanding lead-up is Azamour filly Aloisia who chases a third win on the trot.
Two back she franked the form of the Group 1 J.J. Atkins (1600m) from Brisbane in the winter, improving on her second behind Capital Gain in that to score the upset in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) against her own kind on October 14.
The previous experience at a mile saw her account for the field that day by over a length second-up and Aloisia made it back-to-back wins with a masterful staying effort over the colts and geldings on Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day a fortnight later.
Ridden by Luke Nolen again, she had a runaway three-and-a-half-length margin to spare over the Ladbrokes Classic winner Cliff’s Edge in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) in the perfect Oaks trial.
What made The Vase success even more imposing was that runner-up Cliff’s Edge from the Darren Weir stables was some four lengths ahead of the next best over the line Salsamor.
The bookies are taking zero chances then with Aloisia as she comes back against a field of fellow fillies in the Oaks on Thursday, a race Purcell is tipping her to relish as she gets out over even more distance.
“A lot of horses can quicken and a lot of horses can stay,” Purcell told the media this week.
“But not many can do both as well as her.
“That is the best thing about her.
“Her last 600m is really good and I just think she will be able to outsprint the fillies in the Oaks.”
Aloisia was formerly prepared by the now suspended Ciaron Maher who enjoyed successive Crown Oaks victories in 2014 and 2015 with Set Square and subsequent Caulfield Cup winner in 2016 Jameka.
Jameka also won The Vase at The Valley before her Oaks success, the double Aloisia is at a short quote of $1.55 to emulate this Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Purcell is brimming with confidence heading into Thursday and even has Aloisia dubbed as a potential mare to watch in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) next November.
“She is a horse that was always going to excel when she got to 2000m or further,” Purcell said.
“She has only had one run at 2000m and won very well at Moonee Valley.
“She is definitely has an exciting future as a stayer and possibly she could be back for the Melbourne Cup next year.
“But that part of her career will be looked at after the autumn.
“All I know at the moment is she will be very hard to beat on Thursday.”
All-in 2018 Melbourne Cup odds on the two mile classic at Ladbrokes.com.au have this year’s quinella of Rekindling and Johannes Vermeer as the early $21 favourites to return and dominate again.
Aloisia meanwhile is a $26 chance in those very tentative futures markets.
And the danger for her on Thursday in the Kennedy Oaks?
“Pinot is clearly the main danger, Luvaluva was good here last Saturday but I think Pinot is going to be up on the speed controlling the tempo she is definitely going to be the hardest to get past,” Purcell said.
The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Pinot was last seen winning the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) on Caulfield Cup Day, while Luvaluva backs up from the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) on Derby Day for trainer John Sargent.
Latest Kennedy Oaks betting market at Ladbrokes.com.au: Aloisia ($1.55), Pinot ($6.50), Luvaluva ($7.50), Rimraam ($15), Reliable Dame ($16), Bring Me Roses ($21), Hiyaam ($21), Sweet Mischief ($61), Four Koalas ($91), Lucky Louie ($126), Circuleight ($151), Miss Admiration ($201).
