The Melbourne Cup Carnival continues at Flemington this Thursday afternoon when the best staying three year old fillies compete in the Kennedy Oaks run over 2500m.
The Group 1 event has been won by some champion three year old fillies including Light Giners (1964), Surround (1976), Miss Finland (2006) and Jameka (2015).
A quality field of fillies have accepted for the race and our full 2021 Kennedy Oaks Preview can be read below.
Elusive Express
Elusive Express is yet to miss a place in five career race starts and is a progressive filly racing well at the right time.
She won the Group 2 Edward Manifold stakes at Flemington before finishing second behind Yearning in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas at her last start.
The daughter of Jackleberry will be ready to peak at her fifth run this prep and is one of the leading chances in the 2021 Kennedy Oaks.
Willowy
The James Cummings trained Willowy stamped herself as a leading Oaks contender when she won the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
She dominated her rivals when winning her maiden at Newcastle by 4.8 lengths the start before that and while this is another step up in class altogether, she profiles well for the race.
Damien Oliver is riding in terrific form right now and he will steer from barrier two.
Daisies
Daisies was an impressive winner of the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield over 2000m before finishing within half a length of Willowy on Derby Day.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent junior trained daughter of Sebring is a query at the distance in my opinion and seems under the odds at her current price.
Biscayne Bay
The Australian Bloodstock owned Biscayne Bay won a stakes race at Morphettville back in May and the team put her on an Oaks path from there.
She finished third at her first attempt beyond 1400m in the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes last start at Caulfield behind Daisies and she is another that has a query out to 2500m to my eye.
I’m happy to take her on at her current quote.
Gonnadancealot
Gonnadancealot is by champion first season sire Sir Prancelot who has a 70% winners to runners record!
She won a race over 1800m here at Flemington by 2.75 lengths and they beat the third horse home by a further four lengths.
Both of her runs this prep have been below par but she is entitles to take a big step forward now she is getting out to a more suitable distance.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see her run well at the bigger track and she is well over the odds in a smallish Oaks field from the good barrier.
Douceur
Douceur has had a long campaign, starting her prep back in June at Sandown.
This is her eighth run so far this time in and she was beaten less than a length behind Willowy in the Wakeful on the weekend.
Her breeding does not suggest that 2500m will suit but she will be plenty fit!
Glint Of Hope
It will be a very good training effort if the Bussuttin and Young team can get this filly to win an Oaks in her first prep.
She is yet to break her maiden status from four attempts but she has been placed in all four.
Another that is suspect at the staying trip and this may all be a bit too much for the horse at this early stage of her racing career.
Tiz My Bay
Tiz My Bay is a filly going better than her form suggests on paper.
She was asked for a long, sustained effort in the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield and just died on her run late in the piece because of it.
The daughter of Cable Bay is yet to break her maiden status and I’m unsure whether she will run out 2500m.
The price seems about right.
Blackcomb
Blackcomb is another that enters the Group 1 Kennedy Oaks having not won a race race previously.
She took on the boys last start in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase and was well beaten however her form before that was solid enough.
Blinkers go off and winkers go on.
Fabiola
Fabiola broke through for her maiden race win at Benalla over 2046m last start but she wuld need to dramatically improve to be a chance at this level.
She is by Victoria Derby winner Polanski out of a Danehill mare so the distance is not an issue on breeding.
Morrissette
Morrissette comes out of the Group 3 Ethereal where she was beaten 3.5 lengths behind Daisies.
She would need to improve off of that effort and I think the market has the price just about right.