VRC Kennedy Oaks Tips - Runner-by-Runner Guide to the Oaks contenders
- Runner-by-Runner Guide to the VRC Oaks
- Who will take out the Flemington Group 1?
- Can favourite Zardozi be beaten?
Run over 2500m at Flemington, the Kennedy Oaks is a Group 1 race for three-year-old fillies. Who will win Thursday's feature?
First run in 1861, the race has been won by some top-class staying fillies including Light Fingers (1964), Surround (1976) and Miss Finland (2006).
We have gone through every runner in the race and offered our thoughts and selections below with the best odds from VolcanoBet.
1. Tropical Squall (3)
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained daughter of Prized Icon has been excellent right throughout this prep and she took out the Group 1 Flight Stakes at Randwick two starts back.
She kicked clear in the Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield only to be run down late by Autumn Angel who has since gone to the paddock.
The draw in barrier three is a big positive and she will likely lead the field and be very tough to run past.
The extra distance is a concern but her class will take her a long way.
2. Zardozi (6)
Won the fourth race of her short, eight-start career here at Flemington two starts back in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes making up plenty of ground late.
She again showed a sharp turn of foot on Saturday in the Wakeful and reeled in all but one to go down by the barest of margins.
The step up in distance is only going to benefit her and she is the horse to beat.
3. Amazonian Lass (13)
The second of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s runners and the filly that just outlasted Zardozi in the Wakeful to score the second win of her career.
Was beaten just over two lengths by Zardozi in the Edward Manifold previous to that win and she will land on the speed next to her stablemate.
The extra distance is a concern but she is racing well and she’s tough.
4. Served Cold (11)
Has won two of her last three, both at Geelong including the Geelong Classic.
In between those wins, the daughter of Shamus Award was 2.5 lengths off Harlow Mist in the Oaks Trial here at Flemington.
Her breeding doesn’t scream 2500m to me but she has a fair amount of class.
5. Harlow Mist (9)
Is yet to miss a place in five career race starts which includes three wins.
Was over two lengths behind the Wakeful winner Amazonian Lass on Saturday but managed third.
Has raced well here at Flemington and is another that will land on the speed.
6. Coco Sun (7)
Started her career by winning her first two race starts but has been well off the pace throughout this campaign.
Would need to improve dramatically to be competitive in a race of this quality.
7. Basilinna (2)
Was slow out of the barriers in the Ethereal Stakes but made up a huge amount of ground late in the race to finish third.
This is a big ask in her very first campaign but she looks a very progressive filly who continues to step up to each challenge.
Will give Damien Oliver his last ride in the race after a fantastic career in the saddle.
8. Aethelflaed (12)
Broke her maiden duck at Kembla Grange two back in impressive fashion over 2000m.
Made up plenty of ground late when tackling the Wakeful last start to finish fourth.
Mark Zahra jumps aboard which is a positive.
9. Wings Of Song (14)
Has managed to place in four of six career race starts but was beaten at Benalla in a benchmark 58 last start.
That form is not good enough to be winning a Group 1 Kennedy Oaks.
10. Ethel Maude (10)
Couldn’t have been much more impressive when breaking through for her first win at Pakenham last start by 3.75 lengths.
She would need to continue to improve to be any chance in this.
11. Peaky Ridge (8)
Having just her fourth career start but comes into this off a win at Warrnambool over 2000m.
This is a huge step up in grade and might have come just a bit soon in her career in her first preparation.
12. Vieste (5)
Has been beaten over 25 lengths in her last two starts and has shown nothing to suggest she will be competitive at this level.
13. Another You (1)
Has placed only once in five career starts and was beaten five lengths in the Ethereal Stakes last time out.
14. Everlasting Kiss (4)
Placed in. the Oaks Trial behind Harlow Mist back in September and well beaten in the Ethereal Stakes last start.
Drawn to get a nice run in transit but doesn’t look up to these at this stage in her career.
Verdict
SELECTIONS
1st: No. 2 Zardozi
2nd: No. 7 Basilinna
3rd: No. 3 Amazonian Lass
4th: No. 8 Aethelflaed
1st: No. 2 Zardozi
2nd: No. 7 Basilinna
3rd: No. 3 Amazonian Lass
4th: No. 8 Aethelflaed
Zardozi
To Win
@9/5 - 2 Units
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