Summary of Best Bets
- Best Bet: Race 8 – (9) Mic Drop
- Next Best: Race 1 – (2) Kalmana
- Value Bet: Race 4 – (1) Teardrop Rotation
Turf Talk
- Clear weather is forecast leading into the meeting and with no showers expected, the track should present as a Good 4.
- The rail remains in the True position, as it normally is at Oakbank.
- Oakbank can be a tricky track for some runners, so it often pays to give added respect to those with experience on the course.
Stats that matter
- Michael Hickmott has an excellent record at Oakbank, striking at 26.3% with a POT of +29.1%.
- Kayla Crowther sits second in the jockey premiership and has ridden 16 winners from her past 100 rides. She also has a strong Oakbank record, striking at 17.7% with a POT of +12.2%.
Race by race overview
Race 1
(2) Kalmana returned with a very good run in a race that has already produced strong form through last week’s Clare Lindop. He strips fitter second-up, rises to 1400m where he has won before, and gets in nicely after the apprentice claim. He looks the one to beat.
(1) Ramasis is airborne, chasing a hat-trick, and while he rises in grade again, his recent form is hard to knock.
(5) Boolcunda Dawn comes off an impressive maiden win over this same track and trip, and that Oakbank experience is a genuine asset.
(4) One More Song was disappointing first-up but never really got into the race from a wide run and can improve with that hitout under the belt.
Selections:
(2) Kalmana
(1) Ramasis
(5) Boolcunda Dawn
(4) One More Song
Suggested Bet: (2) Kalmana – Win
Race 2
(3) Snallygaster resumes for his second prep after a single debut run in a stronger race and showed enough speed there to suggest he can be competitive, though the barrier is a query.
(10) Brand Her Bold debuted in a stronger race and was sound through the line, and she maps well from the inside gate and has the experience edge.
(13) Juxtapose was strong through the line in her previous start but didn’t find the best position early from a wide barrier, she maps better here today and can improve on recent form if she settles closer in the run.
(4) Trade Game makes his debut today, he has looked handy at trial level and ran well in a trial here recently and track experience could prove to be an advantage.
Selections:
(3) Snallygaster
(10) Brand Her Bold
(13) Juxtapose
(4) Trade Game
Suggested Bet: No bet
Race 3
(6) It’sanotherbattle made a strong impression early in her career, winning nicely on debut after good lead-up trials. She was then spelled and resumes here off another big trial performance, suggesting she has returned in very good order.
(4) Uptown Monk was well supported in a stronger race last start but didn’t have much go right and can bounce back in easier company.
(2) Sir Myka was moderate last start in a hot field but looks better suited back in trip.
(5) Carpe Astra finally broke through for a win in his last start having run into the placings both runs previous to that. She should have confidence now having got the win and can settle prominently in this race which will suit.
Selections:
(6) It’sanotherbattle
(4) Uptown Monk
(2) Sir Myka
(5) Carpe Astra
Suggested Bet: No bet
Race 4
(1) Teardrop Rotation rates highly in this field. She comes in fresh, has already won at this track and trip, and gets conditions to suit.
(5) Florey has not missed a place in five runs this prep and maps well from the inside barrier with a light weight. She should get every chance.
(2) Tosen Water was doing her best work late first-up and looks suited rising in distance second-up.
(8) Brown Nose Day Gal was grinding away last week and may be better suited back in trip here, again carrying a light weight and likely to race on speed.
Selections:
(1) Teardrop Rotation
(5) Florey
(2) Tosen Water
(8) Brown Nose Day Gal
Suggested Bet: (1) Teardrop Rotation – Each way
Race 5
(10) Joviale got back to winning form last start at Strathalbyn when dropping in grade and did it well. She now rises in distance with confidence up and looks ready to measure up again.
(8) Somewhere Soon won two in a row before a luckless run last time and while she may again need things to fall her way from back in the field, she should be strong late.
(9) Thermodynamic could find the front and give a sight. He rises sharply in trip, but his record at the distance is sound and if left alone could prove hard to catch.
(1) I Need A Drink has been contesting stronger cup races around Port Lincoln and while the big weight is a challenge, he has the class to measure up.
Selections:
(10) Joviale
(8) Somewhere Soon
(9) Thermodynamic
(1) I Need A Drink
Suggested Bet: No bet
Race 6
(3) Burning Bright has been in strong form over a similar distance range and looks very well placed again.
(1) Sir Kingsford won this race last year, is proven at the track, and is third-up where he owns a strong record.
(5) Oxford Blue hit the line well last week and the quick backup with the rise in trip looks ideal.
(6) Just A Brother has found strong recent form winning 2 of his previous 3 starts, he gets in light at the weights here after a claim so expect him to be hitting the line strongly late.
Selections:
(3) Burning Bright
(1) Sir Kingsford
(5) Oxford Blue
(6) Just A Brother
Suggested Bet: No bet
Race 7
(6) Streetcar Apollo is having a very good prep, winning three of his five starts. He bounced back to winning form last start after a plain effort two back and now returns to 1400m where his record is excellent. He also looks better suited on dry ground.
(8) Test Of Love has been racing well in Victoria and maps as the likely leader, which is always a positive around this circuit.
(1) Watadeel gets back in grade and is third-up, a stage of the prep where he has won twice before.
(5) Fast Bubbles hit the line strongly last start in what looks a handy form race for this level and may settle a little closer from the better draw.
Selections:
(6) Streetcar Apollo
(8) Test Of Love
(1) Watadeel
(5) Fast Bubbles
Suggested Bet: (6) Streetcar Apollo – Win
Race 8
(9) Mic Drop has been racing in terrific form, winning her way through the grades before a strong second in the Listed Manihi Classic. She comes into this fresh, has looked sharp in a recent trial, and this looks the right race for her to land a black-type win.
(8) Karavas resumes and has a strong profile for this type of race, particularly first-up where her record is excellent. She should get a positive run in transit.
(1) Prairie Flower keeps racing well in strong company but does need things to go right from the back. She will be charging late again.
(3) Lingani is an honest mare who has been around the mark in similar races and looks close to her top now, though she may appreciate a bit more give in the track.
Selections:
(9) Mic Drop
(8) Karavas
(1) Prairie Flower
(3) Lingani
Suggested Bet: (9) Mic Drop – Win
Race 9
(1) Clarence drops slightly in grade from his last two runs and had little luck most recently. He looks set for a better run here and should get his chance in the straight.
(8) Palm Of Jumeirah resumes with a solid first-up profile and already has experience at Oakbank, which could prove important. Her recent trial suggests she is ready to go.
(9) Cuban Waters has been racing consistently and had no luck last time when beaten only narrowly. She gets a chance to bounce back with a more positive setup.
(20) Refreshing steps up in grade today off the back of a last start win at this track/distance, he is capable of taking up the lead and should be strong late given he will carry a light weight in this.
Selections:
(1) Clarence
(8) Palm Of Jumeirah
(9) Cuban Waters
(20) Refreshing
Suggested Bet: No bet
