Australian Oaks Preview

Michael Polster from Harness Racing Victoria provides his Australian Oaks Preview

Quite and open Australian Oaks this year with luck in running sure to play a big part in the outcome. TATIJANA BROMAC (3) was more than competitive with the star NZ filly Carabella back in her homeland; finishing fourth to her in the NZ Oaks and runner up in the Diamond on Jewels Day at Ashburton prior to making the trek to Albion Park for the Queensland Oaks. She drew widely there and never fired, but she is sure to be improved by the outing and does draw much better this time around. If you had something on her there, follow up here, as she should be hard to roll. ILLAWONG SISTER STYX (9) has been terrific in two runs this time in; winning as she liked from the rear at Hamilton first up before she stepped up a notch with an outstanding Argent Classic triumph here two weeks ago where she was wide the final part of the race but held off a late challenge from HIGHVIEW EBONY (8). She is definitely better sit-sprint, as she possesses a wicked sprint and if she gets the right run into it from her trailing draw, look out. BABY BLING (2) looms as her obvious danger. She enjoyed a soft run off the pace to win the Gold Coast Oaks over the ultra-smart Forever Gold, then she wasn’t quite as sharp in the Queensland Oaks when third to the same filly after once again being driven for luck on the markers. Her form overall reads very well for this and if she can improve a touch on her Queensland Oaks performance she will take beating from the ideal alley. The David Thorn-trained duo of VERTIGAL (7) and JENNAS HIGHVIEW (13) have come up with the visitors draws, but are both very classy types and can be dangerous if they have some luck in running. LEILANI LOMBO (4) and DREAM VERDICT (5) are the best of the locals. They both have gate speed and will be thereabouts at the death, while HIGHVIEW EBONY (8) has the talent to win this, but the tricky draw is a big setback.

SELECTIONS: TATIJANA BROMAC (3), ILLAWONG SISTER STYX (9), BABY BLING (2), VERTIGAL (7)

RATINGS: 3/ 9/ 2/ 7/ 13/ 4/ 5/ 8/ 1/ 10/ 12/ 11/ 6

SUGGESTED BET: TATIJANA BROMAC (3) to win