W.A. Oaks – 2022

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a field of 10 fillies for the $250,000 WA Oaks. Seven of them had their last start in the Listed Natasha Stakes over 2200m on 12 March, two in an 1800m Ascot maiden on 13 March and the other in a 2300m Pinjarra Park maiden on 10 March. Grant Williams is the only trainer with two runners, and both are owned by Bob Peters who has won this race 11 times before including six years in a row.

The early favourite is Constant Dreaming who won the Natasha Stakes after winning the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas two week before that. Second favourite is Mrs America from the Grant Williams stable who ran 3rd in the Natasha. Third favourite is Feels Danish who finished 2nd in the Natasha Stakes.

Arcadia Gem is one of three maiden runners in the field and she had good closing sectionals when 8th in the Natasha.  Private Scene finished 4th in that race, while Rommels’s War finished 5th.  All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Constant Dreaming

This Blackfriars filly trained by Adam Durrant has three wins and two places from her six starts giving her the best win and place strike rate of any runner. She won the Ascot 1000 Guineas by 1.7 lengths then the Natasha Stakes by 0.7 lengths. Looks the one they have to beat.

2. Feels Danish

She has gone well this campaign with a win and three places from four starts. She fought hard when 2nd in the Natasha and is one of the chances again. Jockey Troy Turner won this race in 2012 on Pop Culture and 2013 on Moreish.

3. Mrs America

One of two runners for Grant Williams who has trained the winner of this race 7 times. This filly is sired by American Pharoah who won the American Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2015, and was the first horse in history to achieve this. She finished 1.2 lengths 3rd in the Natasha and is the horse Bob Peters will be hoping to get his 12th WA Oaks with. Should be in the finish.

4. Rommel’s War

Drawn barrier 1 she has shown staying ability with 4th in the Ascot 1000 Guineas then 2 lengths 5th in the Natasha. Trainer Neville Parnham won this race with Superior Star back in 2003 when it had Group 2 status. Could place.

5. Private Scene

Trained by Darren McAuliffe who won this race with Impressive Jeuney in 2010. She has a win and three places from 11 starts and was 4th in the Natasha Stakes. Not the worst.

6. Kia Ora Jewel

One of three maiden runners in the race, she is trained by Sharon Miller who won the 2013 edition of this race with Moreish. Looks a genuine staying type and is not without a chance.

7. Harvey’s Angel

She is one of two fillies in this race that are sired by War Chant. She broke through to win last outing at her 8th start, saluting by 1.4 lengths in a Pinjarra Park maiden over 2300m. This means she has won over further than any other runner. She ran on strongly to take over at the 100m and has to be considered a place chance on that effort.

8. Queen Of Jerusalem

Was a narrow winner in an 1800m maiden at Ascot last outing at her 4th race start. Jockey Shaun O’Donnell has won this race before on Impressive Jeuney in 2010 and Balmont Girl in 2014. This looks too hard.

9. Lady Chant

Still a maiden but she has placed in all three of her runs. Jockey Shaun McGruddy was won this race before on Moodometer in 2006. Improving type who could show up.

10. Arcadia Gem

One of the three maiden runners she is one of the two runners for Grant Williams who has trained the winner of this race on many occasions. Jockey Chris Parnham has paired up with Williams to ride the winner in three consecutive years with Very Tempting in 2017, Special Alert in 2018 and Dark Choice in 2019. Arcadia Gem has disappointed twice when favourite and ran 4.9 lengths 8th in the Natasha Stakes. This looks too strong.

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

Jo’s Tips
1 Constant Dreaming
2 Feels Danish
3 Mrs America
9 Lady Chant