Oakleigh Plate – 2022

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

A quality field of thirteen has been assembled for the $750,000 Group 1 Oakleigh Plate.  Ciaron Maher & David Eustace have a very strong hand with three runners including the race favourite Marabi.  She won the Group 2 Australia Stakes last start and will take her unbeaten streak to seven with a win here.  Next in the betting is Minhaaj.  She is unbeaten since joining the John O’Shea barn and has trialled up impressively in Sydney ahead of this first up assignment.

Away Game flew home here in the Christmas Stakes on Boxing Day.  Wild Ruler won the Moir Stakes last campaign and beat home Nature Strip in a recent trial.  Oxley Road was good here first up and makes his own luck up on speed.  Bella Nipotina hasn’t missed a place in seven runs since joining Maher & Eustace.  Jonker won the Manikato Stakes, while Malkovich looks likely to be vying for the lead with Froggy Newitt in the saddle.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Wild Ruler

Four year old entire trained by the Snowden’s.  Took out the Group 1 Moir in the spring and has an excellent fresh record – 5:3-2-0.  Has won two recent Sydney trials.  Mark Zahra booked.  One of the chances.

2. Zoutori

Zoutori has run well in this race the last couple of years and the booking of Damian Lane and blinkers for the first time signal some real intent for this first up assignment.    Knock out chance.

3. Jonker

Queenslander who lead all the way to win the Manikato Stakes at his last start in October.  His record is better at 1200m.  Happy to risk.

4. Bella Nipotina

Has gone to a new level since joining Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.  Was Group 1 placed twice in the spring.  By all reports she is absolutely flying at home.  Gets Jamie Kah for this first up assignment.  Don’t discount.

5. Marabi

Favourite and boom horse.  Is a perfect six starts for six wins.  Latest, found the lead and kept going to win the Group 2 Australia Stakes by 2.75 lengths.  Is hard to knock here.

6. Oxley Road

Lightly raced four year old trained by Peter Moody.  He won the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint here in October.  Lead in the inferior section of the track first up and was a solid effort to run second.  In the mix.

7. Away Game

Rattled home into second behind Marabi here two starts ago, then third on the Gold Coast when leading.  Tounge tie goes on here.  Suspect they take the sit and let her try and finish off again.  Chance.

8. Malkovich

Speedy customer trained by Bjorn Baker.  Safely held first up at Randwick.  Needs to improve.

9. Minhaaj

Resumes.  Went to a new level last prep after joining the John O’Shea stable and was impressive winning the Group 3 Begonia Belle at this distance at her last start before spelling.  Has resumed with two excellent trials.  Genuine winning chance here with even luck from barrier one.

10. Poland

Was a Group 2 winner here as a three year old over 1400m.  Has been gelded and has jumped out well leading in.  Consider for multiples at a big price.

11. Streetcar Stranger

South Australian visitor.  Was second in the Doveton Stakes, then won the W.J. Adams here on Australia Day.  Doubt that form holds up here.

12. Ingratiating

Three year old.  Won the Vain Stakes this track and distance last September.  Then was Group 1 placed over 1200m at Moonee Valley in October.  Thought his run was just fair first up in the Rubiton against the 3 year olds.  Needs to improve.

13. General Beau

First up.  Has a handy record – four wins and three seconds from ten starts.  Going to need to run right up to his best to play a role here though.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
5. Marabi	9. Minhaaj
6. Oxley Road	5. Marabi
1. Wild Ruler	7. Away Game
7. Away Game	1. Wild Ruler

Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes 2022 (Caulfield 1200m)

Group 1 Futurity Stakes 2022 (Caulfield 1400m)

Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes 2022 (Randwick 1600m)

Group 1 Surround Stakes 2022 (Randwick 1400m)