Anthony Cummings’ Group 1 winning filly She’s Extreme is favourite to secure another elite level win when she heads south on Thursday for the Group 1 $1 million Kennedy Oaks (2500m).
She’s Extreme is favourite to win the 2022 Kennedy Oaks at Flemington on Thursday. Photo: Steve Hart.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival continues at Flemington two days after Gold Trip carried the 57.5kg top-weight to an impressive victory in the 162nd edition of the Group 1 $7.75 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) on Tuesday.
Thursday sees the three-year-old staying fillies take to the Soft-rated track at headquarters fighting it out in the VRC Oaks.
Sitting top of the Oaks markets at Ladbrokes, Cummings’ daughter of Extreme Choice has her first look at the track presenting fit fifth-up in her Grand Final.
Jockey Tommy Berry will be after atonement after his ride in the Melbourne Cup, Numerian, crossed 73 lengths back 19th after suffering severe interference on the home turn and never recovering.
Berry has ridden She’s Extreme for six of her ten career starts to date including her Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) second in the mud behind Fireburn and her Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) win at Randwick back in April.
She has been strong again as a three-year-old this spring with her best result being a second to Zougotcha in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) on a Heavy (8) on October 1.
She’s Extreme was huge again last start when only a half-length third taking on the boys behind Sharp ‘N’ Smart in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).
The Kiwi galloper Sharp ‘N’ Smart franked that form with his second in the Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) last Saturday, and now it is She’s Extreme’s turn to produce something similar in her Melbourne race debut.
In a typically open edition of the race there are a further five fillies under $10 for the win including the early market mover Zennzella backed in from $7 to $5.50 on the quick back-up.
On Derby Day the daughter of Snitzel went from her win in a Pakenham maiden on the Synthetic track to a Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) triumph for this year’s Melbourne Cup winning trainers Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.
Willowy (2021) did the Wakeful Stakes – VRC Oaks double last spring, and there is money on the progressive Zennzella to repeat the feat 12 months on.
Lindsey Smith’s maiden Queen Air in her fourth career start occupies the third line of Kennedy Oaks betting at $7.50.
The Toronado filly ran an eye-catching fourth in both the Group 2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic (1600m) and Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) off an eight on debut at Geelong in September, and she is making a quick rise through the ranks.
The Bjron Baker-trained Group 3 Ethereal Stakes winner two back Renaissance Woman ($8), Richard & Will Freedman’s Wakeful Stakes runner-up Pavitra ($9) and fellow in-form daughter of American Pharoah Foxy Cleopatra ($9.50) are the other best in the VRC Oaks odds online this season.
The 2022 Kennedy Oaks is set to run as Race 8 at 5:10pm (AEDT) on Thursday’s nine-race Flemington card.
