This year's edition of the Kennedy Oaks shapes as an intriguing battle between some of the country's top-line fillies.

The 2500m journey always presents as a gruelling journey and the wide open field here creates plenty of questions for punters. 

 

  1. ELUSIVE EXPRESS (NZ) $4.20

Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman (Mornington)     Jockey: Jye McNeil 56kg      Barrier:8
Record: 5:2-2-1     Prizemoney: $414,250    1st Up: 2:1-1-0    2nd Up: 1:0-0-1 

 

Rick says...

Her last start effort was a touch puzzling, given she ran past Yearning to win the start prior and they reversed the order in the Thousand Guineas.

She did have to go back from the wide gate last time, which may have played a part in that defeat.

Her sire, Jakkalberry ran third in the Melbourne Cup and won at 2700M in the USA, which suggests the big jump in distance won’t worry her.

 

 2. WILLOWY $4.20

Trainer: James Cummings (Flemington)     Jockey: Damien Oliver 56kg      Barrier:2
Record: 5:2-1-1     Prizemoney: $217,065    1st Up: 1:0-0-1    2nd Up: 1:0-0-0    

 

Rick says...

Was the eye-catching run in what is generally considered the best lead up race, the Wakeful Stakes.

She launched down the middle late to overpower her rivals, some of who she meets again here.

Her grand sire, Teofilo, produced Melbourne Cup winners Twilight Payment and Cross Counter. Therefore on breeding alone, she's in the mix.

Equal favourite and deserves to be on top of the markets.

 

 

 3. DAISIES $5.00

Trainer: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) (Caulfield)     Jockey: James McDonald 56kg      Barrier:6
Record: 5:1-1-0     Prizemoney: $189,750    1st Up: 1:0-0-0    2nd Up: 1:0-0-0    

 

Rick says...

She fought hard to hold them out in the Group 3 Ethereal over 2000M and was collared late by Willowy in the Wakeful.

Her lead up form is excellent and she just needs to be able to go the extra 500M.

 

 4. BISCAYNE BAY (NZ) $6.50

Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (Caulfield)     Jockey: Hugh Bowman 56kg      Barrier:3
Record: 7:2-1-1     Prizemoney: $154,595    1st Up: 2:0-0-0    2nd Up: 2:1-0-0    

 

Rick says...

Ran on well for third behind Daisies.

Is safe in the betting and given the stable and jockey combination, it wouldn't surprise me to see her upset them.

 

 5. GONNADANCEALOT $91

Trainer: Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock (Cranbourne)     Jockey: Dean Yendall 56kg      Barrier:4
Record: 6:1-1-0     Prizemoney: $92,350    1st Up: 3:0-0-0    2nd Up: 2:0-1-0    

 

Rick says...

Dropped out last start after racing on the speed.

Form suggests she will be out the back.

 

 6. DOUCEUR  $17  

Trainer: Patrick Payne (Plumpton)     Jockey: Michael Dee 56kg      Barrier:11
Record: 8:2-1-1     Prizemoney: $96,200    1st Up: 2:1-0-0    2nd Up: 1:0-0-0    

 

Rick says...

The Zabeel bloodlines on her Dam’s side is a big reason I’m selecting her on top. He has produced countless staying distance winners.

Patrick Payne is an excellent trainer of stayers, and he will have her cherry ripe for this.

Last start in the Wakeful, she was forced to come out three wide at the 600M mark to avoid getting snookered and she sustained the run down the straight to finish a very good third to Willowy.

I’m expecting her to outstay them and win.

 

 7. GLINT OF HOPE (JPN) $8.50

Trainer: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young (Cranbourne)     Jockey: Nash Rawiller 56kg      Barrier:1
Record: 4:0-2-2     Prizemoney: $70,400    1st Up: 1:0-1-0    2nd Up: 1:0-0-1    

 

Rick says...

Runner up to Daisies and has placed in all four career starts. 

Can’t knock her form and she should be fighting out the finish again.

 

 8. TIZ MY BAY  $21

Trainer: Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock (Cranbourne)     Jockey: Luke Currie 56kg      Barrier:5
Record: 8:0-1-2     Prizemoney: $42,350    1st Up: 2:0-0-0    2nd Up: 2:0-1-1    

 

Rick says...

Made her run with Willowy, though was held up in the process. Did her best work late, so may be further improved out to a distance.

Ran on from well back to finish third over 1800M at Flemington.

Each way prospect who will be running on.

 

 9. BLACKCOMB  $23

Trainer: Danny O'Brien (Flemington)     Jockey: Damian Lane 56kg      Barrier:10
Record: 6:0-2-0     Prizemoney: $30,925    1st Up: 2:0-0-0    2nd Up: 1:0-1-0    

 

Rick says...

Nice second to Barb Raider here over 1800M.

Better suited at this track but a win would surprise.

 

 10. FABIOLA $126

Trainer: Ken & Kasey Keys (Cranbourne)     Jockey: Craig Newitt 56kg      Barrier:7
Record: 5:1-0-0     Prizemoney: $18,825    1st Up: 1:0-0-0    2nd Up: 1:0-0-0   

 

Rick says..

Last start winner over 2046M at Benalla.

Not up to this class.

 

 11. MORRISSETTE $18

Trainer: Simon Ryan (Warrnambool)     Jockey: Declan Bates 56kg      Barrier:9
Record: 5:0-0-1     Prizemoney: $18,685    1st Up: 2:0-0-0    2nd Up: 2:0-0-1  

 

Rick says..

Grand sire on her Dam’s sire won a Group 1 over 2400M at Ascot (UK).

She has been running on well in all her races and is a definite place chance.

 

History says

37 fillies have completed the Wakeful Stakes/VRC Oaks double. Miami Bound was the most recent in 2019.

In the past 20 years, Damian Oliver has ridden 4 Oaks winners and Ciaron Maher has trained two.

Oliver takes the rein son Willowy and Maher/Eustace train Biscayne Bay.

 

Speed

Fabiola and Gonnadancealot should take up the running, with Daisies tucking in behind them. Michael Dee on Douceur is likely to come across from gate 11 and look to eye off a spot in the first five.

Tiz My Bay and Morrissette should settle in the back half of the field.

 

Kennedy Oaks Tips

1. Douceur
2. Tiz My Bay
3. Willowy
4.  Elusive Express

Best roughie: Tiz My Bay