The Auraria Stakes looks a fascinating middle-distance test for the three-year-old fillies at Morphettville on Saturday, with several key Oaks contenders stepping out over 1800m. There are multiple strong lead-up form lines through the Clare Lindop Stakes and Tasmanian Oaks, while a handful of progressive types look capable of taking another step forward.
Mitch Lewis has gone through every runner in the field ahead of the feature staying contest.
Get Mitch Lewis’ full set of tips for Saturday’s Morphettville meeting here
(1) Steel Trap (7)
T: T & C McEvoy
J: J Stanley
A Group 3 winner in her two-year-old season here at this track, she had one win last prep before tackling Group 1 company and finishing down the track. She resumed recently but was only moderate, and needs to improve off that. She is fitter second-up and rising in distance today.
(2) Stung (14)
T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes
J: D Stackhouse
Impressive winner of the Listed Clare Lindop Stakes over 1600m last start to make it two wins in a row. She ran the fastest last 600m and last 400m of that race, so should handle the rise in trip again here. The wide barrier should prove little concern as she has plenty of time to cross and she sets up as one of the main chances heading towards the Oaks.
(3) Kazaru (6)
T: P Stokes
J: J Opperman
The last two winners of this race came through the Tasmanian Oaks and that is the form line she brings into this. Proven at a staying trip, so if this race is run at a strong tempo, she has the miles in the legs to be strong late.
(4) Freedom Flame (5)
T: A Gluyas
J: T Johnstone
Has only won one race in her career so far, but that came in Listed grade late last year over the same track and distance setup. She has been building nicely into this prep as the distances have increased and is a chance to find her peak now. Races on speed and will be prominent in the run.
(5) Oak Park Maddison (16)
T: T Doudle
J: C Tootell
Took up the lead in the Clare Lindop and was strong for a long way to hold on for second. Her best chance here will likely be to lead again and attempt to control the tempo of the race. Based off that big last-start performance, she could measure up again despite the rise in distance.
(6) Mating Call (11)
T: D Clarken & O MacGillivray
J: E Finnegan
Rates highly having performed well in Group 1 races last prep. It feels like she has not quite found her best form yet this campaign despite running fourth in two lead-up runs. At peak fitness now and looks likely to be suited over this distance, so not willing to discount her if she starts to find her best again.
(7) Morgana (9)
T: P Ryan Jnr
J: J Toeroek
Ran well two starts back at Caulfield when finishing third in a Group 3 1600m race and closing off nicely. She was below expectations last time when perhaps not suited by the conditions and the fast-run race. A more moderate tempo will suit her better and she can bounce back in a race like this.
(8) Synthesise (13)
T: M Seyers
J: K Crowther
Outside of the winner of the Clare Lindop, she was the runner coming home strongest with the second-fastest last 600m and last 400m sectionals of the race. It was a career-peak performance and she will need to rise again, but it is hard to knock her chances off that effort in a strong lead-up race.
(9) Naraghi (2)
T: L Howley
J: A Kelly
A winner at Maiden level two starts ago before tackling a much stronger race at Flemington next time, where she finished midfield. She did not get the easiest run there and could be an improver here with a better trip from barrier two.
(10) Oui Oui Ma Cherie (3)
T: S Gower
J: T Voorham
Ran well in the Listed Morphettville Guineas two starts back but never looked likely in the Clare Lindop. Now rises in distance, which is an unknown, and with mixed form it is hard to have great confidence in her chances.
(11) Boomeroo (4)
T: A & S Freedman
J: Z Spain
Was a strong finisher when winning her maiden recently at Sale. This is a sharp rise in grade and will prove a tough test, but she looks likely to appreciate rising to 1800m and maps well from barrier four.
Get Mitch Lewis’ full set of tips for Saturday’s Morphettville meeting here
(12) Lufitaah (12)
T: M Freedman
J: D Yendall
Another Victorian visitor rising out of maiden grade into a much stronger race. She needs to take a sharp step up here, but she did come home quickly over 1600m last start so the rise to 1800m should be within reach.
(13) Thundara (8)
T: A Bain & N Taylor
J: R Milnes
Recently won a midweek Maiden at Balaklava over 1600m and this is a considerably harder task. She needs to find plenty of improvement from that run to be a winning chance here.
(14) Big Rita June (1)
T: L & E Grantham
J: B King
Has started at big odds in two runs this prep and finished worse than midfield both times. She has mixed form lines against key runners in this race and must find a few lengths on those efforts to be a realistic chance. Her best chance of improvement may come at 1800m and barrier one may allow her a soft run.
(15) Angling Angel (15)
T: P Stokes
J: L Neindorf
Still a maiden, but showed considerable improvement last start when rising in distance and running a close second. She should be suited getting out further again and if she improves once more, she can put herself right in the race.
(16) Prancing Lily (10)
T: P Nolan
J: A Warren
Still a maiden who finished almost five lengths from the winner in a midweek 1600m Maiden last time. This is a much tougher challenge and she will need considerable improvement to be a winning chance based on what we have seen so far.
Selections:
(3) Kazaru
(2) Stung
(4) Freedom Flame
(6) Mating Call
Suggested Bet: (3) Kazaru – Each-way
Get Mitch Lewis’ full set of tips for Saturday’s Morphettville meeting here
