South Australia's Autumn carnival is in full flight as we enter our first day of Group 1 racing in SA for 2023.
The Australasian Oaks is the first of four Group 1 races at Morphettville over the next month.
The 3yo 2000m race for the Fillies is also one of the many lead-up races to the SA Derby in a fortnight's time.
A lot of this year’s field look to be peaking at the right time and will relish the 2000m trip which should provide a fascinating contest.
Track Conditions
The track is currently a Good 4 at the time of writing but there is rain forecast in the lead-up to Saturday, although much less than previously predicted.
We will be running between a Good 4 and Soft 5 dependent on how much rain hits on Friday.
Wind conditions are only moderate and expect a slight headwind when horses turn for home which is normal racing conditions at Morphettville.
The rail comes back to the true position for the whole meet today for the first time since Adelaide Cup day 6 weeks ago.
The track will be in good condition and every horse should get their chance.
If the rain does hit, expect runners to come away from the inside rail.
By the time of the running of the Oaks, lanes 3-6 should be the best part of the track giving every horse a winning chance.
The Map
There doesn't appear much speed on paper but with a lot of the fancied runners drawn out, I would expect a few of them to roll forward and find a forward position.
Running On Time (9) will go forward and lead the field up.
Arugamama (12) will also go forward and settle up on speed while from the draw, Jennilala (2) will likely push forward and possibly box seat.
Outside of those runners, Proscenium Arch (6) does have early speed and a nice draw to her use and can find a nice position.
Favourite and WA Oaks winner, She's Fit will come out of gate 14 after scratchings and will likely have to roll forward as she has done so at her past couple of runs.
She may have to do a little bit of work early if a couple of runners kick up underneath her, leaving her vulnerable late.
The Favourite
Arts and She's Fit have been trading favouritism in the markets since the barrier draw on Wednesday at time of writing She's Fit holds it slightly over her NSW rival.
She's Fit is coming off a Listed Win over 2200m three starts ago at Ascot before then following that win up with a victory in the West Australian Oaks over the 2400m.
She was a little unlucky behind Awesome John last time out in the WA Derby but ran a very strong race.
Drawn out today, Craig Williams is going to have his work cut out to find a position up on speed without doing too much work from the horror draw.
She hasn't done anything wrong at her runs in WA and will get her opportunity today to showcase her talents against her East Coast rivals.
I am happy to take her on, I think she will be right around the mark but from the draw I am expecting her to be vulnerable late.
Free Horse Racing Tips
If a local horse is going to win one of the South Australian Group 1 features this year, then this is the event that it can happen.
Party Princess has been working through her grades well this preparation after knocking off a maiden at Strathalbyn just three starts ago over 1200m.
She then stepped up to open level and proved too classy over 1400m before a really strong run in the Clare Lindop Stakes last start over the mile.
She settled back of midfield as she tends to do and after being held up briefly from the 600m mark, let down very strongly in the home straight to just miss behind key rival As Time Goes By.
The 2000m should suit as the stable is setting her for the derby in two weeks’ time and from the draw, expecting her to sit midfield off the rail in a lovely position.
She looks well and truly up to this level, hopefully giving Leon Macdonald possibly his last Group 1 as a co-trainer.
As Time Goes was given a peach of a ride from Jake Toeroek in the Clare Lindop stakes when he was able to navigate a clear path from the 800m mark and get out into clear running at the top of the straight.
After the amount of work Toeroek did to get his mount into clear galloping room, she was left exposed late only just holding on from Party Princess.
The 2000m will suit after running 3rd in the Wakeful Stakes in the Spring behind Zenzella.
She is a class filly and whilst will need a little luck in running from an awkward draw, this Deep Impact filly should be right in the finish.
Amati comes out of what I expect to be a very strong-form race with a solid run behind Gringotts.
The 2nd horse in that race (Loco) is being sent out as an odds-on favourite in the Chairman’s Stakes today.
Amati has been building up in trip and I thought she found the line well on a very soft Sandown track over the mile.
2000m will suit and her run at Moonee Valley at Group 3 level two starts ago shows she belongs at the level.
Drawn well, another horse that will likely get back and run on but is good value for exotics.
Head to our horse racing tip market to access the selections of proving winning form analysts.