2017 Australasian Oaks Day at Morphettville on Saturday boasts an impressive eight race card, highlighted by two talent-packed Group 1 feature races.
English is favourite to win the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart
Strong fields have been confirmed for all eight races on 2017 Australasian Oaks Day and we have analysed every runner set to race in South Australia, in order to help you find a winner.
The action is set to commence with the runner of the MAC Drink Driving? Grow Up Handicap at 12:09pm and will conclude after the Group 2 Euclase Stakes is contested at 4:44pm.
Race 1 (12:09pm) MAC Drink Driving? Grow Up Handicap (1600m)
Seven milers have been confirmed in Race 1 at Morphettville on Saturday. Royal Rumble (barrier 7) has returned to the races in excellent form this season will be seeking a third-consecutive win in this race. A wide draw is no issue for the New Approach gelding in a field this small and he is treated well at the weights (57.5kgs), given his form. Great Esteem has been charged with overcoming topweight, but should have no issue in finding the early pace from the rails draw. Consistent performer Master Zephyr (barrier 5) is weighted to win and will relish the conditions of the Morphettville mile.
Tip: No. 2 Royal Rumble ($3.10)
Race 2 (12:44pm) Carbine Club Handicap (2010m)
The field for race 2 on Robert Sangster Stakes Day is open and there is a case to be made for nearly every runner. Second Bullet (barrier 8) is arguably the class horse of the field of nine and should receive a gem of a ride by Damien Oliver, while proven performers Jim’s Journey (barrier 4) and Kourkam (barrier 2) are both drawn to find good positions in transit. Lamborghini (barrier 9) faces a big step up in class into this race, but is weighted well at only 54kgs and is yet to finish outside the first three through her five most-recent starts.
Tip: No. 2 Second Bullet ($2.80)
Race 3 (1:24pm) Listed Queen Adelaide Stakes (1050m)
Ten two-year-olds have been confirmed to line up for the first black type race on Robert Sangster Stakes Day. Emzara (barrier 3) is the only filly set to debut in the race and has trialled well in the lead-up, while stable mate Mintha (barrier 7) ran a credible third on debut and should find a good position behind the early speed from barrier 7. Tabbing (barrier 2) and Maria Elisa (barrier 5) both carry winning form into the race, while Luqyaa (barrier 8) was impressive when second in the Listed Dequetteville Stakes (1050m) last time out and should carry plenty of improvement into this race.
Tip: No. 4 Luqyaa – Each Way ($5.50/$2.10)
Race 4 (2:04pm) Group 3 DC McKay Stakes (1100m)
An outstanding field of twelve sprinters is set to contest the DC McKay Stakes and there is subsequently plenty of value to be taken from a betting perspective. Faatinah (barrier 11) stormed home to win the Group 2 Euclase Stakes (1200m) in Adelaide last autumn and while going amiss at his two most-recent starts, placed second in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) in late February. Bassett (barrier 7) has found career-best form this season and was a dominant winner of the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) last time out, while Kaepernick (barrier 10), Thermal Current )barrier 1) and Reldas (barrier 2) all have the class to win this race on their day.
Tip: No. 3 Bassett ($4.60)
Race 5 (2:44pm) Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes (1600m)
Some of the Adelaide Autumn Carnival’s most exciting fillies and mares are set to take a position in the Queen Of The South Stakes field and this is another race where a case can be made for almost every runner. Godolphin mare Circular (barrier 3) has produced several smart performances this season and should relish the conditions of this race, while the somewhat inconsistent Rocket Commander (barrier 7) would not look out of place in the winner’s stall, should she find her best. Amerlie’s Star’s chances took a big hit on Wednesday when she was allocated barrier 13, while talented local C’est Beau La Vie (barrier 9) is not without a hope from barrier 9.
Tip: No. 6 C’est Beau La Vie – Each Way ($17/$5)
Race 6 (3:24pm) Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2010m)
The day’s first Group 1 feature will be run and won when a capacity field of three-year-old fillies step out for the Australasian Oaks. Harlow Gold (barrier 19) has been a strong and consistent performer this season and is surely offered her best shot at a maiden win at the highest level in this race, while Kenedna (barrier 3) is drawn ideally and is seeking a third-consecutive race win. There is a case to be made for Egg Tart (barrier 5), though she is yet to be tested in black type company and Toffee Nose (barrier 13) won the Vobis Gold Heath (2000m) with ease at her last start and should again lay a great account for herself under the conditions of this race.
Tip: No.1 Harlow Gold – Each Way ($15/$4.60)
CLICK HERE for the complete 2017 Australasian Oaks form guide
Race 7 (4:00pm) Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m)
The Robert Sangster Stakes boasts a $1 million prize pool for the first time in 2017 and has subsequently drawn an excellent field of fillies and mares. English (barrier 11) looked the winner in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on Day 1 of The Championships before she was swooped late by Chautauqua and she will be extremely tough to beat under the conditions this weekend. Sheidel (barrier 10) returned to the races for an impressive win in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and was gallant when fourth in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m). Having finished second in this race last year, she’s perfectly suited and is again primed for a big run. Super Cash (barrier 12), I Am A Star (barrier 2) and Missrock (barrier 5) are all live chances in a stacked field.
Tip: No. 2 Sheidel ($5)
CLICK HERE for the complete 2017 Robert Sangster Stakes form guide
Race 8 (4:44pm) Group 2 Euclase Stakes (1200m)
In what is perhaps the most open betting race of the Australasian Oaks Day, seventeen sprinters will contest the card-ending Euclase Stakes. Defcon (barrier 13) returned to the races for a credible fifth in the Group 2 Arrowfield Stakes (1200m) on Day 2 of The Championships and is sure to carry plenty of benefit into this race, while consistent sprinter Ken’s Dream (barrier 5) has drawn ideally into the Euclase Stakes field and should be tough to beat under the conditions. Fuhryk (barrier 4) is treated well at the weights and will be partnered by Craig Williams from a good draw, while Merriest will enjoy a drop back in weights after finishing third with topweight at Caulfield last weekend.
Tip: No. 2 Ken’s Dream ($4.60)
