Summary of Best Bets
Best Bet: Race 2 – (4) Noise By Nature
Next Best: Race 6 – (3) In That Mode
Best Roughie: Race 1 – (2) Arizona Wildfire
Turf Talk
- Clear weather is forecast in the lead-up to the meeting, with no showers expected, so the track should be presented as a Good 4.
- The rail remains in the True position, which is the usual setup at Oakbank.
- Oakbank can be a tricky track for some runners, so it pays to give an edge to horses with experience at the venue.
Stats that matter
- Luke O’Connor brings the one runner to this meeting and his stable is flying, producing 15 winners from its last 100 starters with a POT of +69%.
- Campbell Rawiller returns to Oakbank and has a strong record here, striking at 23.1% with a POT of +22%.
Race by race overview
Race 1
Looks a moderate maiden to kick off this meeting. (2) Arizona Wildfire took up the lead in his last start but faded out, though he looked much better on debut so expecting he will improve here and be suited at this track. (3) Kumaru has been met with heavy market support for this debut run, which is hard to ignore, and he will not have to be a star to win a race of this level. (15) Darlinc resumes for a new stable, looked in good order in a recent trial and has track experience. (7) Dragon Fish can race in a prominent position with a good map and gets in light at the weights after an apprentice claim, so can get a favourable run.
Selections:
(2) Arizona Wildfire
(3) Kumaru
(15) Darlinc
(7) Dragon Fish
Suggested Bet: (2) Arizona Wildfire each-way
Race 2
(4) Noise By Nature looked very good when resuming and running a close second behind an in-form mare at Morphettville. He comes into this fresh, which will suit, as he performs well fresh and will be suited dropping slightly in grade today. (3) Tripod Terror does not win often but has performed well here at Oakbank in two runs at the track, which can be an advantage. (2) Tour De Moon won his maiden easily here at Oakbank and is taking a step up in grade today. (5) Fussy As resumes and is a runner with good early speed, so expect he can push forward and race prominently, which is expected to suit.
Selections:
(4) Noise By Nature
(3) Tripod Terror
(2) Tour De Moon
(5) Fussy As
Suggested Bet: (4) Noise By Nature win
Race 3
Another very open betting maiden race here. Based on his previous form for a different stable, (9) Garrix should prove hard to beat. The 1400m trip should suit and the wide barrier is little concern. (4) Discreetly Blue has placed in three of his four starts this prep and has not missed the placings in two runs at this track. He should be prominent on speed and in the right position in running. (16) Elite Thunder looked moderate in his last start when in the market, but he looks ready for the rise in distance here and can be a sharp improver on recent form. (1) All Too True looked as if he got too far back last start but was hitting the line well, so expect improvement if he can settle in a more forward position today.
Selections:
(9) Garrix
(4) Discreetly Blue
(16) Elite Thunder
(1) All Too True
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 4
(2) Eclair Vitality has finished within a length of the winner in both of his previous runs and has been showing good early speed. He is in good form and gets the right setup today, so if he goes forward again he could prove tough to catch. (4) Shadowfax has a good record here at Oakbank and should again settle on speed. Expect him to go close again at a track where he is proven. (1) Copper Bullet showed sharp improvement last start when dropping in grade. He remains at the same level and rates highly again. (6) Ruled By Thieves is hard to catch but does have a strong finish in him when he is on. He could be suited here at Oakbank and should get a clear run in the straight.
Selections:
(2) Eclair Vitality
(4) Shadowfax
(1) Copper Bullet
(6) Ruled By Thieves
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 5
(3) Aitch D’amico is at peak fitness having been consistent at similar staying trips through his most recent runs. He is suited in this grade and these conditions and gets his chance. (4) Retourne is on the quick back-up and should find this much easier than his last-start run. He should be advantaged racing on his home track today. (6) Spangled Sipper ran well in a stronger race last start and could be suited in easier grade today. Jumping from barrier 2 should put him in a good position. (9) Vee Rod is in consistent form, having finished in the top two in three of his past four runs. He rises in trip today but that looks suitable for him at this point of the prep.
Selections:
(3) Aitch D’amico
(4) Retourne
(6) Spangled Sipper
(9) Vee Rod
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 6
(3) In That Mode ran well on debut for the new stable and I like him fitter again here second up, staying at the 1400m trip. He should find this a slight drop in grade and get a strong chance. (6) Alfano looks close to a breakthrough win having run into the placings in his past four runs. Jumping from barrier 1 should see him get a soft run early, which will help at 1400m. (2) Frankel Star maps as the likely leader, which should suit, so he does not look the worst long-odds shot. (1) Arc De Puissance has been hitting the line well this prep and looks suited rising to the 1400m at this point.
Selections:
(3) In That Mode
(6) Alfano
(2) Frankel Star
(1) Arc De Puissance
Suggested Bet: (3) In That Mode win
Race 7
(2) Silver Lifestyle won a handy Class 1 race at this track last start. He was running on strongly late, so the rise in distance should suit. (13) Vercelli has good confidence at the races since winning recently and drops slightly in grade today, which sets her up well. (3) There Goes My Hero has a good record from two runs here at his home track. Experience here and a positive race map should put him in a strong position in the run. (12) Excotic Dancer is stepping up in level off the back of a last-start win. She can get the run of the race from the inside barrier and is likely to race on speed, which should suit.
Selections:
(2) Silver Lifestyle
(13) Vercelli
(3) There Goes My Hero
(12) Excotic Dancer
Suggested Bet: No Bet
