The Oakleigh Plate is one of three Group 1’s taking place on Blue Diamond Stakes Day this Saturday at Caulfield.
The 1100m feature has drawn a talent-laden field of sprinters, headlined by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s undefeated mare, Marabi.
Last year’s Moir Stakes winner Wild Ruler and John O’Shea’s promising mare Minhaaj are the only other runners at single figures, but as we saw last year when Portland Sky and Celebrity Queen both finished first in a dead-heat, this race is often good for an upset.
There’s a case to be made for a few in this year’s $750,000 Oakleigh Plate, and our thoughts on every horse can be found below.
Wild Ruler
Wild Ruler could be in for another big prep if his trial runs are anything indication.
The son of Snitzel has won both hit-outs ahead of his return, and if he races anything like he did fresh during the spring when he finished second to Nature strip in the Concorde, he’s going to be tough to beat.
The Snowden-trained four-year-old has won three of his five assignments first-up from a spell, and although he’s on debut at Caulfield, he appears to be in safe hands under the in-form Mark Zahra.
Carrying 58 kgs is the main query, but after winning last year’s Moir Stakes under the same weight, he’s more than capable of winning at a nice price.
Zoutori
It’s been nearly a year since Zoutori came out and won the Newmarket Handicap down the Flemington straight paying 20-1.
He ran some okay races during the spring, but ultimately failed to threaten at this level running third-last in the Kennedy Cantala over the mile last time out.
Obviously he’s much better suited to these sprinting distances, and his first-up record of four wins and two placings can’t be underestimated.
The son of Zoustar has won previously here at Caulfield, but the wide barrier does make this difficult.
Jonker
There were questions around whether Jonker was a Group 1 horse during the spring, but he quickly put those concerns to bed by winning the Manikato Stakes at The Valley.
The Spirit of Boom entire failed to fire fresh at Flemington last time in, but he does hold a winning first-up record with two victories and three placings from mine starts.
He looked good in a recent trial at Doomben and he should be among the pacesetters from barrier 3.
Bella Nipotina
Bella Nipotina is a consistent type that tends to give an honest effort.
She found the money in all seven of her starts last time in work, while she’s also won twice over the track and distance.
The Pride of Dubai mare held her own in the Manikato, and she was equally as impressive when third in the VRC Classic behind Nature Strip. Might just be in need of the run but has definite each-way claims.
Marabi
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s undefeated mare Marabi appears the horse to beat in this year’s Oakleigh Plate.
The daughter of I Am Invincible put the writing on the wall when winning six lengths clear on debut at Pakenham last year, and she simply hasn’t missed a beat rising through the grades in fine style ever since.
The five-year-old won the Christmas Stakes quite convincingly over the track and distance two back, and she was again impressive at Moonee Valley gapping Sinawann by 2.75L at The Valley last time out.
She recorded strong late sectionals on both occasions, and is drawn to push forward and make her own luck on speed again from gate 2.
This is her toughest assignment yet, but it does look the next logical step for her.
Oxley Road
Oxley Road looks capable of winning a race like this.
Peter Moody’s lightly raced four-year-old was impressive this time last year winning the Group 3 Zeditave Stakes over a touch further before turning during the spring to win the Caulfield Sprint.
This is his toughest assignment yet, but his effort first-up in the Rubiton Stakes a fortnight ago suggested he’s up to it.
The son of Exceed and Excel rolled forward and was only beaten over the final 100m by Marine One.
Fitter now and down in the weights, he’ll take catching.
Away Game
Away Game is five weeks between starts since running a place in the Magic Millions Sprint on the Gold Coast.
She hasn’t quite lived up to her two-year-old hype, but her run on Boxing Day when three-quarters of a length second to Marabi in the Christmas Stakes does bode well for this.
The Snitzel mare typically runs well fresh, and she should be ridden more conservatively this time around with Linda Meech back in the saddle.
Malkovich
Malkovich is a much better horse than his first first-up run at Randwick suggests.
The Choisir entire over-raced to find the front and was left flat-footed late in the finish, but he does look capable of bouncing back given his impressive second-up record of two wins from three attempts.
His form here at Caulfield also reads well, and the fact he’s dropping nearly 10kg’s in the saddle is another big plus.
Minhaaj
Minhaaj gave a sneak peek of things to come during the spring when winning back-to-back Group 3’s after changing hands to the John O’Shea stable.
The four-year-old daughter of Exceed and Excel has looked in superb order during two recent trials, while she was also a narrow winner over this track and trip last April.
Her form around Swats That and September Run earlier in her career stands out on the resume, and she should be afforded a lovely late run along the rails with even luck.
Poland
It’s been over a year since Poland won the Autumn Stakes at Caulfield and the little racing he’s done since makes him tough to recommend.
Streetcar Stranger
Streetcar Stranger looks capable of running a race if his last two starts are anything to go by.
The son of Stratum was strong to the line in the Doveton Stakes behind Enthaar late in the spring, while his first-up win on Australia Day against a small field in the W.J. Adams was genuine.
This is much tougher, but he’s run some good races second-up previously and just needs a touch of luck from the wide gate.
Ingratiating
Ingratiating finished off only fairly first-up in the Rubiton Stakes, a run he can certainly improve on with Craig Williams back in the saddle.
The pair rattled home late for third in the Manikato behind Jonker and Bella Nipotina last year, and they should be doing their best work late again from barrier 11.
The Godolphin three-year-old has missed the money only once from four starts at Caulfield and looks a likely improver.
General Beau
General Beau is only lightly raced, but he’s typically done some of his best work at Caulfield.
The son of Brazen Beau won the Blue Diamond Preview and the Prelude last year before going on to finish three lengths fifth to Artorius in the main event.
He added another win to his record third-up during the spring, and was game in defeat in both the Danehill Stakes and the Caulfield Sprint.
Tends to run well fresh and is worth thought in exotics.
