Crown Oaks Tips - Can Getta Good Feeling claim Wakeful/Oaks double or will it be an upset?

The 2025 VRC Oaks (2500m) is the staying test for the fillies and this year’s renewal brings together form lines from the Wakeful Stakes (2000m), Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), and Ethereal Stakes (2000m). 

The odds-on favourite, Getta Good Feeling, was dominant in the Wakeful Stakes (2000m) last Saturday at Flemington, settling outside the leader before cruising home to win by over a length. Her overall figure of 3.2 lengths faster than benchmark confirmed her class and she now aims to emulate the likes of Miami Bound (2019) in completing the Wakeful–Oaks double. 

Runner-up Strictly Business was impressive, closing off with the fastest last 200m of the race, while Voting Rights and Ethereum Girl were next across the line and likely to appreciate the extra trip.

The Spring Champion Stakes in Sydney might be the form race that tips the balance. The Pearls finished 3rd there behind Attica and Shangri La Boy, producing a career-best figure of 8.6 lengths faster than benchmark, the best in this Oaks field. Sheeza Diva wasn’t far behind and was arguably a touch unlucky. 

Meanwhile, six runners come via the Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield, led by Spicy Lu, who went 4.9 lengths faster standard in front-running fashion to defeat Just A Journey and After Summer, with Classic Gem catching the eye late with the day’s fastest final 200m. There’s genuine depth here and multiple pathways converge, promising a true staying test for the crown.

Expect Spicy Lu and Just A Journey to press forward early. Both have led in their recent runs, with Nash Rawiller likely to roll across again from barrier 7. Getta Good Feeling maps perfectly from gate 4 and should land one-out, one-back, stalking the tempo. The Pearls may roll forward from the wider draw to settle in the front half, while After Summer and Voting Rights will look for midfield cover. Strictly Business, Sheeza Diva, and Classic Gem are expected to drift back and look to chime in late, which should set up an honest, genuine tempo. If the leaders overdo it early, it will bring the backmarkers right into play late down the Flemington straight.

The Pearls brings genuine Group 1 depth and the strongest benchmark figure of any filly in this race. Her Spring Champion Stakes third behind Attica and Shangri La Boy came against the boys and she was still finding the line powerfully through the post, rating 8.6 lengths faster than standard. She profiles perfectly stepping to 2500m. From barrier 12, she should have time to slide forward, find a rhythm, and be poised to pounce turning for home. If the tempo is genuine, her staying power and proven class make her a serious threat to the short-priced favourite.

At a bigger quote, Strictly Business might not have the headline profile of Getta Good Feeling, but her trajectory and sectional data suggest she’s the one peaking at the right time. After winning a Ballarat maiden over 1400m in style, she jumped sharply in grade and distance in the Wakeful, and her closing 200m (11.26s) was the fastest of the race despite being held up briefly at the 300m. That run suggested a further rise to 2500m will only help. She’s by Grunt, whose progeny typically improve over ground, and her relaxed racing pattern is ideal for Flemington. Expect her to settle back and charge late down the outer, ready to turn the tables on the favourite.