Oakleigh Plate – 2021

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

A full field of 18 are set to fly around Caulfield over the 1100m for the $500,000 Oakleigh Plate.  In this years race there are seven five year-olds, seven four year-olds and four three year-olds.  Unusually none of them have previously won a Group 1.  There are three trainers with multiple runners in the race – Ellerton & Zahra – Warren & Krongold – Maher & Eustace.  The early favourite in the betting is Ancestry trained by Phillip Stokes.  He is a strong colt who races on the speed and was unbeaten during the spring.  Anders, one of the three year olds, is the second favourite.  He has a very good record over this trip and bolted in, in a recent Geelong trial.  Celebrity Queen ran an unlucky second in the Winterbottom Stakes and carries the famous cerise and white colours of owner Bob Peters.

Dirty Work won the Schillaci Stakes in October and has trialed twice in Sydney.  Zoutori ran second in this race last year and races at his best first up from a spell.  Brooklyn Hussle is another that goes well first up.  Portland Sky won the Manfred on January 30 by .75 of a length.  Garner was unlucky here when resuming.  Hanseatic ran second in the Blue Diamond on this day last year.  Standout has a strong record at the distance and Ranting is a talented three year-old.  The remaining runners are $20-1 or longer.

1. Zoutori

This years top weight stormed home to run second in the race last year.  Does carry 2 more kg’s this time but looks set to run well again given his strong first up record, good barrier and the booking of Jamie Kah.

2. Dirty Work

Stormed home under Willie Pike to win the Schillaci this track/trip in the spring.  In the mix.

3. Kemalpasa

No match for Behemoth first up in Adelaide.  Does get Lane here but would need to improve.

4. Standout

Both trainer and horse have strong first up records.  Unplaced at three previous attempts at Group 1 level.

5. Mizzy

Finished third in the Silver Eagle during the spring.  Comes back 100m in trip after a poor run first up.

6. Ancestry

This Stokes galloper has won 7 of his last 8 starts – all by over a length.  He has been given 2 solid trials and looks ready to go here first up.  A leading chance.

7. Celebrity Queen

WA galloper who gets back in her races and flys home.  She is unbeaten first up and was desperately unlucky in the Winterbottom.  If the breaks come her way she can feature.

8. Bold Star

Ran well here first up – finishing second behind Prophets’ Thumb and has won well second up in the past.

9. Brooklyn Hustle

Resumes.  He won easily first up at Moonee Valley last time.  Will be giving them a big start but is capable of a big finish.

10. Garner

The second of the Gordon Richard trained runners.  He was desperately unlucky here first up.  Should get a nice run behind the speed from an inside gate and if the breaks come can be in the finish.

11. How Womantic

Lightly raced galloper from the Maher and Eustace Stable.  She has a strong winning strike rate, having won 5 of 9.  This is her biggest test yet.

12. Prophets Thumb

Prophet’s Thumb was terrific winning here first up.  She is yet to miss a place in 5 attempts at Caulfield.  Losing Jamie Kah is a negative.

13. Riding The Wave

This Lindsey Smith galloper has been racing well since coming across from New Zealand.  Not sure he has the class to be a factor here.

14. Sword Of Mercy

Began this preparation with back to back wins.  Then finished second behind Fabergino in the Kensington Stakes.  Looks outclassed here.

15. Portland Sky

3 year old.  Won the Manfred here last start.  That form has since been franked with Tagaloa and Aysar running the quinella last week.  His 3 wins have come when he has found the front, doubt he can do that here.

16. Hanseatic

Finished second in last years Blue Diamond and has no weight here.  Recent jump outs have been good but barrier 18 is far from ideal.

17. Ranting

Beat a couple of key rivals here in the Blue Sapphire in October.  Maps well from barrier 9.

18. Anders

Began last preparation with a bang.  Bolting in first and second up in Sydney by big margins.  Then disappointed in the Blue Sapphire and Coolmore Stud Stakes.  Look for him flying across from barrier 17 in search of the lead with no weight.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
6. Ancestry	1. Zoutori
7. Celebrity Queen	6. Ancestry
1. Zoutori	7. Celebrity Queen
2. Dirty Work	18. Anders

Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes 2021 (Caulfield 1200m)

Group 1 Futurity Stakes 2021 (Caulfield 1400m)