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Australasian Oaks Racing Tips - Sydney form to come to the fore in Group 1 Australasian Oaks

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: 22 Apr 2026

Adam Cusworth 22 Apr 2026

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Top contenders include Panova due to her ideal race setup.
Savitri presents value with her speed and tactical advantage.
Tempo and positioning will be crucial for race outcomes.

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Panova is a strong chance in the Australasian Oaks (Getty Images)

The Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) brings together the best of Adelaide’s three-year-old fillies as well as some serious contenders that head over from the eastern seaboard.

The Auraria Stakes (1800m), run at Morphettville in the lead up, has proven to be one of the most reliable guide’s over the years and that trend can continue after Mating Call took out that lead up, going six lengths faster than standard benchmark, which is the best last start figure of any runner. Nine runners come through that race, including runner-up Freedom Flame, making it impossible to ignore as the primary form reference.

The market has centred around Getta Good Feeling, and rightly so on exposed form. She has won three of her past four, including the Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington in the spring, and was dominant again in the Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield. However, that came off a soft tempo, and there are some queries whether she gets the strongest 2000m under genuine pressure at this level.

The Victorian form doesn’t end there, with Savitri bringing a different profile after leading throughout at Caulfield over 1700m, running 5.7 lengths faster than standard. That was a sharp performance, and she looks the type who can roll forward again and give herself every chance despite the wide draw. Paltrow Miss and Just Kick, who filled the minors behind her, also step into this and add further depth.

The Sydney form adds another layer, particularly through the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m). Salty Pearl was excellent in running 3rd in a slowly run Group 1 and profiles as one of the more reliable types in the field, while Panova was unsuited by that same tempo but still worked home soundly. Both look suited getting into a more genuinely run race here.

Spicy Luu is the wildcard runner. She went forward in the Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) and stuck on in a race run five lengths faster than standard, and with limited natural speed engaged here, she may get her own way in front. Back onto a Good surface, she becomes far more dangerous if left alone.

With six last-start winners engaged and multiple key form lines converging, this is a deep and tactical Oaks, where tempo and positioning will prove decisive.

2026 Australasian Oaks Speed Map

The 2000m start at Morphettville generally gives runners time to find their positions, but with a lack of obvious high-pressure speed, this race shapes as one where tactics will be critical.

Spicy Luu looks the most likely leader and may control the tempo if allowed to roll, while Savitri from the wide draw is expected to press forward and settle in the first few, ensuring she offsets the barrier.

Mating Call and Freedom Flame both map to land just off the speed from inside draws, getting ideal runs in the first four, while Getta Good Feeling should settle midfield with cover from barrier 5 — a position that has historically proven effective in this race.

Panova is one of the key map runners, likely settling midfield or slightly worse but with cover, which should allow her to build into the race if the tempo lifts. Salty Pearl may find herself slightly further back from her draw, relying on genuine speed to bring her into the contest late.

The biggest query revolves around tempo — if Spicy Lu is left alone, it brings the on-speed runners right into play. If Savitri or others apply pressure early, it opens the race up for the midfield runners, particularly Panova.

Overall, the map looks to favour runners settling in the first six, with Panova the key horse who benefits if the tempo increases through the middle stages.

2026 Australasian Oaks Best Bet

Panova looks set to peak fourth-up and gets the ideal setup to produce her best.

Her spring campaign showed her upside, improving at this stage to score at Randwick before going nearly 10 lengths faster than standard in the Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. That level of performance is superior to anything produced by her rivals at their peak.

This preparation has been quiet by design, running on in slowly run races where she hasn’t been suited, but that changes here. With a more genuine tempo expected and stepping to 2000m, she gets conditions to suit perfectly.

Chris Waller has spaced her runs with this race clearly in mind, and with natural improvement fourth-up, she looks ready to produce a peak figure.

At the price, she profiles as the runner with the most upside in the race.

2026 Australasian Oaks Value Bet

Savitri appeals as the clear value runner in the field.

She brings a progressive profile, winning three of her five starts and improving each time she steps out. Her last-start win at Caulfield was strong on the clock, running 5.7 lengths faster than standard after controlling the race from the front.

She has the early speed to offset the wide draw and should settle in the first few, which is a major advantage given the likely race shape. If she can dictate or sit outside the leader without pressure, she becomes very hard to run down.

Stepping into Group 1 company is the query, but her profile suggests she is ready for the rise, and at double-figure odds, she represents genuine value.

Verdict

Australasian Oaks

Australasian Oaks Best and Value selections

Panova

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