| Distance | 2000m |
| Grade | Group 2 |
| Track Rating | TBA |
| Prizemoney | $300,000 |
| Class | 4yo and Up Set Weights and Penalties (no maidens) |
| 2017 winner | Savapinski ($4.80) |
This race is restricted to mares only and has attracted a strong field from both sides of the border.
Some of these have been desperate to get out beyond a mile and do so for the first time this prep here.
Expect it to be a testing 2000m at Flemington with nowhere to hide.
I have therefore settled on one who is proven over the staying distances and can blow these away with any tempo present.
Stoutness looks the key.
Flemington track conditions and exact rail position will be available closer to jump as is always the case when the surface is in action for the Thursday Oaks meeting, which needs to be considered.
However on and up the rail has proved popular for riders at recent meetings and expect them to use this lane again.
Fine conditions are predicted for Saturday.
All runners remain steady in early betting.
Always seems to find a few better, even in mares only grade at her past few, and connections surely have to reconsider entering at this level going forward.
Last start she finished 10 of 16 in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes, after she was posted wide throughout.
She will get back again from gate 8 and will need plenty of luck to weave a passage home.
Others look to have her measure. Avoid.
High profile Kiwi who took on the best in Winx last start at Moonee Valley in the Cox plate, when she finished 7 of 8 and beaten 11 lengths.
Clearly much easier here and with the drop in grade, she will improve sharply.
Has to overcome the outside draw in gate 15, however will go back in any case to midfield or worse and has the class to overcome. Top hope.
Has been racing well this prep aside from a slightly sub par performance last start in the Group 1 Empire Rose, where she had the premier position on the leader's back before weakening to run 9 of 16.
Simply could not have on latest effort, considering all the favours in the run. No.
Love this mare who is crying out for 2000m and finally gets it here.
She will get back and look to suck up along the rail the entire trip, where if the speed goes on and the gaps come, she can dart through late to blow them all away.
Great value at the current $13 in betting and must go on top at the price. Yes.
Ran on strongly form well back in the Cranbourne Cup, where they crawled up front.
Another that needs the hot tempo and if she gets it, will sprout wings late.
From gate 7, the rider will be smoking the pipe out the back and looking for a nice tow into it.
Can work to the outside late and win.
Interesting runner who the McEvoy stable have a huge opinion of and keep persisting with in Melbourne, when there are much easier assignments at home (Adelaide).
She has plenty to overcome here, including the wide gate and recent runs that do not appetise. No.
Was a huge run at Randwick last start in a benchmark 94, where she came with a withering burst from a long way back in what was an ultra impressive win- albeit in lowly grade.
Straight to Melbourne Spring now and why wouldn't they tackle stakes level with the talent she has shown?
Will have to step up sharply in grade, however she may be something very special.
Could blow them all away. Watch betting.
Of The Others
#9 Nettoyer can run a race here going off the last start Moonee Valley win, when she had to come very wide and still got the job done.
That will top her off nicely for this and if they bet $20+ be sure to take some. Yes.
1st Kenedna
2nd Sheezdashing
3rd Savvy Coup
4th Aqua D'ivina
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