Races

Deane Lester’s Oaks Day Best Bets

RACE 4 NO.5 ADELAIDE ACE

ADELAIDE ACE is working up to another win and looks the value runner when he runs in the Benchmark 90 Handicap (1800m). The four year old has been steadily building his form and comes with a solid 4th behind GROUNDSWELL in the fast run race over 1500 metres at the Valley on October 23. He now steps up to his best distance which has seen him record victories in last years VRC Derby Trial and this year’s Caulfield Autumn Classic over the same distance of 1800 metres of this race. He is drawn for a sweet run, goes well for rider John Allen and looks a solid each way play.


RACE 8 NO.1 MONTEFILIA

The favourite for this year’s Kennedy Oaks (2500m) is MONTEFILIA and she only has to hold her current Sydney form to prove the one to beat in the time-honoured classic. The daughter of Kermedec has won four of her 7 starts including back-to-back wins at Group one level in the Flight Stakes (1600m) and Spring Champion Stakes (2000m). She appears as though she will relish the longer distance of this race and has a significant class edge on her 13 rivals. Rider Hugh Bowman won the Oaks aboard SAMANTHA MISS in 2008 and should pilot MONTEFILIA to her crowning glory this spring.


RACE 9 NO.6 WRITTEN BEAUTY

WRITTEN BEAUTY looks a high class filly in the making that should make a winning transition to stakes class when she runs in the Red Roses Stakes (1100m). The Team Hawkes trained galloper ran a track record in winning by 3.5 lengths over 1000 metres at The Valley on October 23. It was a breathtaking performance from a powerhouse filly that has won three of her 4 starts to date. She is drawn to get down the outside of the Flemington straight track and should provide Perth’s leading rider William Pike with a winning farewell to the Melbourne Spring Carnival. It’s a good race but WRITTEN BEAUTY still appeals as the best bet of the day.

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