Oaklands Plate – 2022

Track: Good  Weather: Cloudy

There are 10 two-year-olds lining up for the Oaklands Plate with four fillies, three colts and three geldings. They are all from different stables and four are still maidens. Three runners have had one start (and one of these is unbeaten), three have had two starts (and one of these is unbeaten), one has had three starts, two have had four starts and one has had six starts. Four of the runners had their last start in Victoria.

The early favourite is Vagrant who has won one of her two starts. Second favourite is Birdies Galore who has won both of her starts by over 2 lengths each time and is the only runner to have won at this track. Third in the market is He’s Heaven who ran 2nd at his only start, where he started favourite.

Harmonious Senora won her only start at big odds. Joyrider debuted for 2nd at Murray Bridge and gets blinkers on, while Test The Law has had four starts for a win and three placings. The other runners are 12 to 1 or longer..

1. Test The Law

This All Too Hard gelding trained by Matthew Seyers has been in the trifecta at all four starts with a win and three placings. He didn’t come on as expected when 3 lengths 3rd over 1200m at Murray Bridge on 18 June, then chased solidly to just miss for 0.1 length 2nd over 1200m at Murray Bridge on 2 July. Proven on soft tracks and can place.

2. Lonsdaleite

Trained by Clinton McDonald at Cranbourne, this More Than Ready colt broke his maiden at his 4th outing in a Pakenham maiden plate over 1100m, Will be ridden by Barend Vorster who won this race on Mac’N’Cheese last year and on Westport in 2019. Not the worst.

3. Club Punter

This Nicconi gelding is trained by Roslyn Day at Murray Bridge. Gave nothing else a chance when a 0.8 length winner on soft gomg over 1300m at Balaklava on 29 June at his 3rd and latest start. Could surprise.

4. Joyrider

Ran 2nd at his only start over 1200m at Murray Bridge. Should have benefitted from that experience and the blinkers go on. One of the chances.

5. He’s Heaven

A Zoustar colt trained by Peter Moody. He started favourite at his only start and finished 2 lengths 2nd over 1200m at Pakenham on the synthetic. In the mix.

6. Moneagle

He has had more starts than any other runner (6) but is still a maiden. Unlikely.

7. Birdies Galore

This Spieth filly is unbeaten at both starts. She debuted with a 2.3 length win over 1200m at Warracknabeal on 21 May, then was a 2.8 length winner over 1250m at Morphettville Parks on 4 June. Should be in the finish.

8. Vagrant

She won on debut at Swan Hill, then ran on strongly out wide for a length 4th over 1200m at Flemongton on 2 July. The 1400m should suit and looks one of the key chances.

9. Field The Moment

Trained by Phillip Stokes who won this race with Instant Celebrity in 2020. She ran home strongly at the end of both her races and is looking for this longer distance.

10. Harmonious Senora

Has only had one start where she kept coming to get there in the final strides and won by 0.3 length over 1212m at Geelong on heavy going. She was at very long odds then and could surprise again.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
7 Birdies Galore
8 Vagrant
1 Test The Law
3 Club Punter