The Oaks 
2400m Dirt
2400m Dirt
29th March 2011Last Season's Final
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This Season's Contenders
| Horse : Star Trice | Trainer : Sky Castle Stables |
When the hammer went down and the horse was safely in the Sky Castle Stable, a sigh of satifaction at securing the services of probably the auction bargain of the season, if not of recent times. Ok, so the horse was a late juvenile and missed the entire season, so it was a shame that she wasn't able to grace the juvenile finals of last season. However, what she has achieved this season is nothing short of remarkable. Six qualifying wins and a host of places have made her a major player this term. If the ground comes up muddy she is certainly the one they all have to beat. The way she won over the final distance on 20th January, leaving many of these in her wake, is enough evidence to suggest she is a class act. Difficult to oppose on muddy but chances could deteriorate if fast is the order of the day.
| Horse : Excellenza Suecia | Trainer : Shotgun Mike |
Excellenza Suecia is undoubtedly a far better horse over the 2200m trip. The form of the horse over the extended 2400m is not as strong and of the trio representing the yard in this race, she looks to be the third string. She suffered a bit a of bad luck in last season's juvenile classic final which prevented her etching her name in virtual racing history. I had made a strong case for her to win that final but unfortunately do not have the same optimism for her chance in this.
| Horse : Goddess Of Heaven | Trainer : Moletown |
I would love to say that Goddess Of Heaven is a very strong contender in this race, she has a chance, although it seems that her racing career in finals is working against her. Last season she came into the final with a great chance, only for the ground to hit her worst going and this term, only a muddy surface will suffice. That said, she has a bit to find to overturn recent efforts with Star Trice. A place at best.
| Horse : Regency Blaze | Trainer : Shotgun Mike |
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that if any other horse is going to take advantage of a slip up by Star Trice, it could be this one. An expensive purchase mid season, she has won eight from nineteen for her new yard and only failed to make the frame on two occasions. A very strong fancy who is not shy of winning on fast or muddy ground. She is definately in with a shout at two finals and it would be of no suprise if she walked away with both crowns. One to capitalise if they dawdle up front.
| Horse : Eyes Of Medusa | Trainer : Stardust Racing |
Eyes Of Medusa strides much better on turf than she does on dirt. She proved her credentials by winning a Ladbrokes Monthly last season, just touching off Goddess Of Heaven. She later followed that up with a creditable fifth place in the juvenile classic behind champion Natusik Polukhina, who races in opposition again. She could again run a big race when not expecting too much from her as she always seems to rise to the occasion. Each way claims with a good run.
| Horse : Natusik Polukhina | Trainer : Holmang Horses |
It was champagne last season but she will be lucky to get a nosebag and a bucket of water after the race this season. It's not that she isn't a worthy champion because she won the race last term very well indeed. Her handicap is that she just doesn't stay the 2400m trip and is easily one to strike off your shortlist. Holmang Horses will already be putting plans into motion for next season.
| Horse : Whitepointer(AUS) | Trainer : Deepbluesea |
Formally known as Kieran's Gal, she was a hot hope for challenge success last season. Regency Blaze got the better of her that day and the pair will re-oppose again. One will run in different colours and the other will run under a different name. Bizarre but true. It is difficult to weigh up her chance in this as her only win over the trip came way back when she broke her maiden. There is obvious ability within and she could be something of a dark horse coming into this race. Her chance in the St. Leger is slim as I don't think she is one who likes the marathon trip, which may help her trainer concentrate efforts in getting her spot on for this. Interesting!
| Horse : She Will Survive | Trainer : Juliassilas |
It is fair to say that She Will Survive will be more at home on a muddy track than fast. If the God's grant her wish it will be of little consolation as there are probably a few other trainers with exactly the same wish. For that reason it may be a struggle to see her make the frame. It will be interesting to see how she squares up with some of these when she hits four. A yielding going seems more up her alley and she looks destined for a midfield finish on current form.
| Horse : Lightning Burk | Trainer : Burkveen Racing |
Lightning Burk comes into the race appearing that she handles fast better than muddy and must hold claims in both the finals she will contest. Her trainer will hope that the ground comes up trumps and she will certainly stake a claim on a fast surface. A natural engine inside always helps over the extended trips and with a bit of luck in running she could go well in this and has solid each way claims.
| Horse : Lightning Monster | Trainer : Burkveen Racing |
Burveen Racing will rely on stable companion, Lightning Burk to put in the effort in this race. Lightning Monster is one that will find the trip a little too hot to handle and will be another who will be looking forward to next season. She looks like a natural fast runner on the surface of things but has to be filed in the also ran category.
| Horse : Empress Gigantico | Trainer : Shotgun Mike |
Empress Gigantico is another who comes out of the mould of fast ground lovers. She will also contest the St Leger but it is her chance in this race that will be the focus for her season end. She has quietly gone about her business this season. She may have slipped under many a radar but on the face of things is certainly one that shouldn't be underestimated. Her two previous finals when running as a juvenile were very good efforts in defeat and with the rub of the green her fortune may change here.
| Horse : Sweet Mischief | Trainer : Bonnybrook Farm |
The lightly raced, Sweet Mischief, has done nothing wrong in her nine runs to date. She will come into this race with fresh enthusiasm and could raise a few eyebrows indeed. Her efforts on a fast surface have not gone unoticed. Her fifth place behind Empress Gigantico over course and distance in December looks an extremely good form line indeed. This horse is a very lively contender and prior to this review, admittedly, she was not a name I had on my shortlist but views can change. Her trainer has been very selective in her race placement, I like that and the more I look at her, the more I am liking her credentials on a fast surface. She doesn't look anything like a slouch on muddy either, putting in two solid efforts in defeat. She is a very interesting runner indeed.
| Horse : Anfield Glory | Trainer : Daltons Donkeys |
Muddy will be the order of the day for Daltons Donkeys. Unfortunately, it may be a race which will catch her out. With limited success at this level over the final trip of 2400m it is difficult to make a case for her chances. She may struggle.
| Horse : Blue Crystal | Trainer : Glenloch |
All of Blue Crystal's wins have come on muddy ground, including two juvenile classic qualifiers. She will have no issues with the distance. There are concerns though. With a high class field, I am not convinced that even with her favourite going she has enough to head some of these. She is by no means out of the reckoning and could be a suprise package with a run in the race. I just can't see the Glenloch yard jumping for joy when they hit the finish line. Place claims at best.
Moletown Says : The concern that I have in sticking my neck out with a solid individual is the almost halfway split between fast and muddy lovers. There is no doubt in my mind that if the going comes up muddy, STAR TRICE will hold all the aces. It is what to choose if the going is fast that I am having most difficulty with. The more I look at her, the more she appeals to me as one who could be a suprise winner. Sweet Mischief may well be the one we could see spring a somewhat shock result.
Moletown Says : The concern that I have in sticking my neck out with a solid individual is the almost halfway split between fast and muddy lovers. There is no doubt in my mind that if the going comes up muddy, STAR TRICE will hold all the aces. It is what to choose if the going is fast that I am having most difficulty with. The more I look at her, the more she appeals to me as one who could be a suprise winner. Sweet Mischief may well be the one we could see spring a somewhat shock result.
Member Submission: Moletown
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