The Oakleigh Plate is one of my favourite Group 1 races on the Australasian calendar and this year, my excitement has gone to a new level.
The 2023 Oakleigh Plate field is absolutely dripping with talent. Plenty of previous winners at the highest level will step out alongside some of the most exciting prospects currently in work, and a terrific betting race has materialised.
I’ve dug deep into the form of everything engaged, and you can find all of my thoughts and 2023 Oakleigh Plate Tips below.
Suggested Bets
- 3 Units E/W #11 Chain Of Lightning
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
Oakleigh Plate – Winner
I was genuinely tossing up between about ten horses to have on top of my 2023 Oakleigh Plate Tips, but I’ve ultimately landed on Chain Of Lightning at the price.
Chain Of Lightning has missed placing once in her nine previous appearances at the races and truly stamped herself one to follow in the spring by winning a couple of nice black type races.
I thought that she was good when third, beaten by less than a length in the Rubiton Stakes over this route a fortnight ago, and her second-up record is unblemished.
Despite Jamie Kah jumping off to ride I Am Me, Chain Of Lightning doesn’t lose a whole lot with Craig Williams taking over, while the light weight and an inside draw add further confidence.
Suggested Bet: No. 11 Chain Of Lightning
Oakleigh Plate – 2nd
A fresh run in the Oakleigh Plate has been the plan for quite a while now, and I think that it is indeed the right feature for Asfoora!
Asfoora has recorded six wins and a placing from her eight career starts to date, continuing to improve with each start as the bar was raised, culminating in a couple of impressive wins in black type company.
She’s unbeaten fresh and drawn an absolute peach in barrier 6, while Jye McNeil jumps back into the saddle after guiding her to success at Group 2 level previously.
Suggested Bet: No. 9 Asfoora
Oakleigh Plate – 3rd
Lofty Strike returned an eye-catching winner of the Rubiton Stakes and clearly, I think that form line is the one to follow into the Oakleigh Plate 2023.
The well-bred colt has always been one of mine ; I had him on top of my Neds Blue Diamond numbers last year before his unfortunately scratching and for a moment, I thought he was going to deliver on huge Coolmore Stud Stakes odds in the spring (ultimately finishing fourth).
He enjoyed a nice clear run in the final 300m of the Rubiton and hit the line impressively for what was his best win to date, and there’s almost no doubt that he’ll only improve for that effort.
Suggested Bet: No. 10 Lofty Strike
Oakleigh Plate – 4th
I Am Me clearly has plenty of ability, and given that Kah is electing to ride this mare instead of Chain Of Lightning, that really has lifted my opinion of her.
The I Am Invincible mare has won each of her last four starts, highlighted by an impressive win in Listed company in Sydney on New Year’s Day.
This is a big rise in class from that race, but she should relish the conditions of this one, and she has options from the rails draw.
Suggested Bet: No. 13 I Am Me