Group 1 racing returns to Morphettville on Saturday and the Australasian Oaks is first cab off the rank.

A classy field of three-year-old fillies is always taken for this race, but the 2021 Australasian Oaks shapes as a particularly exciting contest and importantly, a terrific betting race.

You can find my 2021 Australasian Oaks tips below.

Australasian Oaks – Winner – No. 6 Ecumenical

Backing a local to win the first feature of the day and Ecumenical to record a deserved Group 1 win in the Australasian Oaks.

Ecumenical has been a terrific horse for the Huxtable stable since marking her debut, winning four races and finishing second on a further two occasions, from a combined thirteen starts.

She returned a bold effort in the Thousand Guineas in spring and a couple of classy efforts this time; winning the Clare Lindop Stakes and finishing second in the Auraria Stakes most notably.

I think that the 2000m will be ideal, this is her campaign target and we’re getting $21 at publish.

Australasian Oaks – 2nd – No. 10 Flexible

William Pike is jetting in to ride Flexible in the Australasian Oaks and I think that is a good indication as to his confidence in this horse.

Flexible has been a competitive horse for Godolphin this year, winning a couple of lesser midweeks in Sydney earlier on, and she was last seen filling the minors behind Duais in the Adrian Knox Stakes on Day 1 of The Championships.

2000m looks to be her go, she is drawn to receive an ideal run from barrier 4 and she does look to have a class edge over many of her rivals.

Australasian Oaks – 3rd – No. 4 Hela

Tasmanian raider Hela puts an unbeaten record on the line in the Australasian Oaks and looks up to another big performance.

The Night Of Thunder filly has continued to improve with each of her seven career starts, and she has already won both the Listed Hobart Guineas and the Listed Strutt Stakes this time in.

This is easily the biggest task for which she has been set, but she put paid to a BM84 field at her most recent appearance, and regular hoop David Pires will take the ride from barrier 3.

Australasian Oaks – 4th – No. 13 Steinem

Steinem has opened our favourite in 2021 Australasian Oaks betting and while she has been impressive, I’m happy to take her on.

The Frankel filly won each of her first two starts with complete ease, stamping herself as one to watch, but she was dealt her first career defeat when fourth in the Auraria Stakes last time out.

She could be a star on the rise, but this is obviously another big test, and I just think that others have more appeal in the market.

Suggested Bets

• 2 Units E/W #6 Ecumenical
• Boxed Trifecta of the selections below