The Australian Oaks is a Group 1 set weights race, held for 3YO fillies, on day two of ‘The Championships’ at Royal Randwick Racecourse. The mile and a quarter feature acts as a grand final for many fillies, and is a true test of their staying ability. Last year’s Oaks was taken out by the Chris Waller trained, Hungry Heart.
As we look at the market for this year’s race, Dabble has Vinery Stud Stakes placegetters, Hinged and Gypsy Goddess, equal favourites at $4.20. Godolphin filly, Honeycreeper, is next best at $4.40, and Pink Ivory is the last runner under double figures, currently at $6.00. These four fillies are the only runners given a hope according to the market.
However, we know with horse racing that anything can happen, and the 2400m will be a big test for many of these fillies. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 Australian Oaks along with The Shark’s best tips.
1. Hinged (10) – $4.20F
Jockey – Brenton Avdulla 56kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Won the G1 Surround Stakes, before finishing a gallant 3rd in the G1 Coolmore, against older mares. Last start was nailed on the line by stablemate Fangirl, in the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes. No doubt she has the form on the board, but can she run 2400m?
2. Gypsy Goddess (11) – $4.20F
Jockey – William Pike 56kg
Trainer – David Vandyke
Star Qld filly who tasted her first defeat last start in the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes. She got back in an on pace dominated race on that occasion, and got to the line very strong. The step up to 2400m looks no problem, and this has been the target all along. Looks hard to beat.
3. Biscayne Bay (5) – $12
Jockey – Mark Zahra 56kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Got back and made good late ground first-up in the G2 Kewney Stakes at Flemington. Finished 3rd in last year’s G1 VRC Oaks, suggesting the trip is no issue. Query is she goes into this second up, 4 weeks between runs, but does have the Maher/Eustace polish on her side.
4. Honeycreeper (15) – $4.40
Jockey – Hugh Bowman 56kg
Trainer – James Cummings
Beaten favourite in the Listed Tasmanian Oaks, before the blinkers went on and she blew her rivals away in last Saturday’s G3 Adrian Knox Stakes. Trip looks no problem, and that win puts her right in contention here.
Who is your pick for this Saturday’s Australian Oaks ? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/7cePl8ccN5
— TAB (@tabcomau) April 5, 2022
5. Le Villi (14) – $23
Jockey – Damien Oliver 56kg
Trainer – John Wheeler
Kiwi filly who finished midfield in the G1 NZ Oaks last start. Hard to line that form up, but I feel this field may be stronger than what she’s faced previously.
6. El Patroness (2) – $17
Jockey – Damian Lane 56kg
Trainer – Danny O’Brien
Was just fair last start in the G2 Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley. Drawn well, but 2400m looks a question mark, and she’d need to find more on recent form.
7. Hope In Your Heart (17) – $41
Jockey – Nash Rawiller 56kg
Trainer – Kerry Parker
Ran a big race at odds in the G1 Surround Stakes, before finishing runner-up in the G3 Kembla Grange Classic. Got to the line well again last start in the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes, and looks as though the extra journey will suit. Barrier no help, but she is capable of running a race at big odds.
8. Gin Martini (6) – $51
Jockey – Robbie Dolan 56kg
Trainer – John Sargent
Ran well in the Kembla Grange Classic, before finishing down the track in the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes. Drawn well, but the trip looks a big query.
9. Pink Ivory (9) – $6.00
Jockey – James McDonald 56kg
Trainer – John Sargent
Bolted in at Newcastle, beating a smart one, before hitting the line well in the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes. Rory Hutchings gave a glowing report post race, and suggested this race will be up right her alley. McDonald takes over here, she’s drawn well, and looks one of the main hopes.
10. Charity Spirit (12) – $51
Jockey – Alysha Collett 56kg
Trainer – Gary Portelli
Finished well in last Saturday’s G3 Adrian Knox, but was completely outclassed by Honeycreeper. She should run the trip, but find it hard to see her turning the tables on the Godolphin filly, let alone a couple of others here.
11. Hardly Sweet (4) – $34 – Scratched
Jockey – Kerrin McEvoy 56kg
Trainer – Greg Eurell
Ran well in the G2 Kewney Stakes at Flemington, before a dominant win in BM70 grade last start. Drawn well here, which should give her every hope of running a strong 2400m, and if she can handle the track, she can measure up at big odds.
12. Lekvarte (13) – $101
Jockey – Jay Ford 56kg
Trainer – Joseph Pride
Ran ok in the Kembla Grange Classic, before a disappointing run at Doomben last start. Hard to see her winning off that form.
Was Monday’s run a complete forgive?
Punter chasing $45k collect with Australian Oaks bet | https://t.co/jlCOTqKPDy | #Racing pic.twitter.com/yqReDykKtZ
— SENTrack (@SEN_track) March 30, 2022
13. Secret Glamour (3) – $61
Jockey – John Allen 56kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Was well supported in the Adrian Knox last start, but was never sighted. Looked to struggle in the conditions there, and will most likely get much of the same here, but Allen sticks and Maher/Eustace wouldn’t have backed her up for no reason.
14. Commando Drift (7) – $91
Jockey – Fred Kersley 56kg
Trainer – Pat Carey
Won a Sale maiden two starts ago, before being outclassed last start at Flemington behind Yonce. Looks tested here.
15. Velvet Lady (18) – $81
Jockey – Grant Buckley 56kg
Trainer – John Ramsey
Won a Newcastle class 1 two starts ago, before making a mess of her rivals last start in BM58 grade. Big step up here, but looks to have good staying potential. The gate makes her task tricky though.
16. Mauricently (1) – $41
Jockey – Craig Williams 56kg
Trainer – Kris Lees
Got to the line well in the G3 Adrian Knox last start at big odds. Will be sent around a similar quote here, but is far from the worst.
17. Chance Reward (16) – $126
Jockey – Winona Costin 56kg
Trainer – Nell Foley
Won a Canberra class 1 last start. Drawn wide here, and needs to find a few lengths to be competitive.
18. Youthfull (8) – $126
Jockey – Brock Ryan 56kg
Trainer – Brad Widdup
Made steady ground in the Kembla Grange Classic two back, before being outclassed in the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes. Likely to find this just as hard.
Final Word
This year’s Australian Oaks has brought together a capacity field of 3YO fillies, and as expected, many are untried at the trip.
Race favourite Hinged is a one of those fillies, who steps up to the 2400m for the first time, after finishing runner-up in the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes last start. Although she has the form on the board, the mile and a quarter in testing conditions may well bring her unstuck, and I’m happy to go around her.
Who Wins The Australian Oaks @royalrandwick @ChampionshipsRR https://t.co/R4sleZpNV6
— Jeremy Bullock (@LuckyTips6) April 4, 2022
Both Gypsy Goddess and Pink Ivory also come out of the Vinery Stud Stakes, and both got to the line strong in an on-pace dominated race. The step up in trip looks ideal for both fillies, and they look very hard to beat on their last run.
Honeycreeper looks the other obvious one after her last start annihilation in the G2 Adrian Knox Stakes. The blinkers really switched her on there, and she gets similar conditions here. The step up in trip shouldn’t be of any concern.
Of the runners at odds, Hope In Your Heart and Mauricently can figure in the multiples, after their last start efforts. Both fillies look as though the 2400m will be ideal.
To me, the race looks to have three main winning chances in Gypsy Goddess, Honeycreeper and Pink Ivory, and I don’t think there is a lot between them. We’ll go with Pink Ivory on top, as I feel she will genuinely relish the conditions and the extended journey, and is drawn to get a lovely trail in the race.
Best Australian Oaks Tip: 9. Pink Ivory – Win ($6.00)
Australian Oaks numbers: 9-2-4-7
If you need more news, information and tips, head over to our Australian Oaks page for all your punting needs!
*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.
