Orchestral, the star Kiwi filly, is poised to extend her winning streak in Saturday’s 2024 Australian Oaks, one of the feature races on Day 2 of The Championships at Randwick.
Currently sitting atop Australian Oaks betting at $1.80 with Ladbrokes, she is heavily favoured to claim victory.
Trained by Roger James and Robert Wellwood, Orchestral has been nothing short of dominant.
She boasts a five-race winning streak, including a nearly four-length victory over the boys in the Group 1 NZ Derby (2400m) back in New Zealand.
Her successful Australian debut came on March 30th, where she secured a win in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.
This impressive performance showcased her readiness for the challenge of the Australian Oaks (2400m).
Master jockey James McDonald retains the ride on Orchestral, who will be starting from barrier three in a compact ten-horse field.
Their combined talent makes them a formidable force, with the chance to etch their names in history by achieving the Vinery Stud Stakes – Australian Oaks double for the first time since Hungry Heart (2021).
While Orchestral enjoys favouritism, the challenge won’t be without its merits.
Zardozi, trained by James Cummings, represents the biggest threat at $3.50.
Donning the Godolphin silks, she captured the VRC Oaks (2400m) during the spring and now sets her sights on the interstate double.
Tom Marquand will be in the saddle for Zardozi, who finished a close third (only 1.35 lengths behind) in the Vinery Stud.
With this recent encounter under her belt, Zardozi has the potential to push Orchestral hard.
Another contender to watch is Tutta La Vita, runner-up in the Vinery Stud.
Trained by Chris Waller, she boasts impressive breeding but has yet to secure a win over a distance greater than 1400m.
Currently priced at $8, she could potentially hand Waller his fifth Australian Oaks victory.
Other notable entries include the in-form Autumn Angel ($7) on the quick back-up after carrying a hefty 61kg to run second in the Adrian Knox last start and the in-fomr New Zealand visitor Quintessa ($15).
The stage is set for a thrilling Australian Oaks, with Orchestral aiming to solidify her dominance and potentially etch her name alongside racing greats.
2024 Australian Oaks Field
No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1x0x211111 | ORCHESTRAL (NZ) | Roger James & Robert Wellwood | James McDonald | 3 | 56kg | 108 | ||
2 | x11x221442 | QUINTESSA (NZ) | Mark Walker | Opie Bosson | 2 | 56kg | 105 | ||
3 | 007121×013 | ZARDOZI | James Cummings | Tom Marquand | 9 | 56kg | 102 | ||
4 | 1x6734x372 | TUTTA LA VITA | Chris Waller | Nash Rawiller | 7 | 56kg | 96 | ||
5 | 2x1331x612 | AUTUMN ANGEL | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Mark Zahra | 8 | 56kg | 88 | ||
6 | 21833×826 | BASILINNA (NZ) | Emma-Lee & David Browne | Blake Shinn | 6 | 56kg | 82 | ||
7 | 61411 | DANCES WITH HOOVES | Cameron Crockett | 4 | 56kg | 65 | |||
8 | 44×317 | PIPLUP | Brad Widdup | Jason Collett | 10 | 56kg | 59 | ||
9 | 431218 | TRUE FAIRY | Daiki Chujo | Noriyuki Masuda | 1 | 56kg | 58 | ||
10 | 8×7825337 | BUSH GIRL | Kerry Parker | Jay Ford | 5 | 56kg | 57 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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