Australian Oaks Tips, Race Preview and Selections – 9/4/2022

The Australian Oaks makes up one of four Group 1 races this Saturday on Day 2 of The Championships at Randwick.

A capacity field of fillies have accepted for the 2400m staying feature, including Chris Waller’s bright young Surround Stakes winner Hinged, as well as Godolphin two-year-old Honeycreeper – winner of last week’s Adrian Knox Stakes.

There’s also a case to be made for the David Vandyke-trained Gypsy Goddess, who so far has won five from six starts to begin her career.

With $1 million in prize-money on the line, be sure to read our thoughts one very filly in our 2022 Australian Oaks Preview.

Made up a stack of ground to get up and run third in her Group 1 debut in the Vinery Stud Stakes last time out. Made it a hat-trick third-up from a spell over the summer and has raced well on soft going in the past. Should settle towards the back half of the field again and she’ll likely be finishing over the top of some of these.

Comes out of a leading staying stable that trained last week’s ATC Derby winner Hitotsu. Failed to fire first-up in the Group 2 Kewney Stakes but typically takes a run or two to warm up. This is tougher, but her third the start prior in the VRC Oaks at Flemington does stand out.

Won the Adrian Knox Stakes last Saturday on a Heavy 9 and is now hoping to become the first horse since Colette (2020) to do the double. Untried past 2000m but only needs to hold that form to make it a double. Let down beautifully from the rail of the field to win with plenty in hand last week and looks set to race to a similar pattern from the wide draw.

5. Le Villi (14)

• Record: 5-2:0:1
• Track: 0:0-0-0
• Distance: 1:0-0-0
• Trainer: Kris Lees
• Jockey: Damien Oliver
• Odds: $21.00

Lightly raced Kiwi filly having her first run in Australia. Ran on well for sixth last time out in the New Zealand Oaks and should appreciate the extra sting out of the track. Maps to get back and run on and is worth a look in exotics.

6. El Patroness (2)

• Record: 8-1:1:4
• Track: 0:0-0-0
• Distance: 0:0-0-0
• Trainer: Danny O’Brien
• Jockey: Damian Lane
• Odds: $16.00

Strips fitter for three runs back and is a much better horse than her latest run at The Valley suggests where she overraced. Form prior was solid, albeit it against much easier opposition. No shortage on talent but she is a genuine query over the trip.

Battled on okay for sixth in the Surround Stakes three runs back and was far from disgraced two weeks ago in the Vinery at Newcastle. A win looks unlikely, but she could sneak a place if the track firms at all.