The first of four Group 1 races on Day 2 of âThe Championshipsâ at Royal Randwick Racecourse today is the Australian Oaks 2016, betting markets for the three-year-old filliesâ classic still firmly led by Jameka.
Jameka is the clear favourite in 2016 Australian Oaks this afternoon at Royal Randwick Racecourse. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Ciaron Maherâs Crown Oaks winner from the spring over 2500m might be drawn the outside barrier in this yearâs $1 million Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m), but she is still sitting top of the markets at Ladbrokes.com.au to overcome the wide alley.
She jumps from barrier 14 of 14 with Damien Oliver continuing his association with the classy daughter of Myboycharlie who is out to become the first Australian Oaks winner from a double digit barrier since Daffodil (11 of 18) in 2009.
No winner has jumped from wider than barrier 13 in over 30 years, but still the bookies are taking no chances with last weekendâs Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m) runner-up at the same track and distance with Jameka at $3.30 to go one better against her own kind this afternoon.
Jameka has firmed in from $3.60, but the genuine Australian Oaks betting market mover this Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival is Sofia Rosa ($11 into $8).
Stephen Marsh prepares this New Zealand-trained Makfi filly who makes her debut down under in todayâs Oaks following a devastatingly close second in the Group 1 NZ Oaks (2400m) over the mile and a half on March 19.
While she is yet to have a start in Australia, the NZ three-year-old form held last weekend with Tavago scored an upset in the Australian Derby, and last Saturdayâs Doncaster Mile winning jockey Hugh Bowman jumps on Sofia Rosa here.
Also at single figures for the win are the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Happy Hannah ($5) who has eased out from an earlier quote of $4.40 and another New Zealander in Valley Girl ($8 out to $9).
More Than Ready filly Happy Hannah is only lightly-raced and her first stakes start came on March 29 at Rosehill when she caught the eye crossing a length away third in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m).
Also out of that traditional Oaks lead-up, which has produced three of the past six winners of the 2400m Group 1, the Donna Logan & Chris Gibbs-trained Valley Girl was runner-up in her first Australian start.
Fifth in the Group 1 NZ Derby (2400m) in early March, she was beaten under a length by the Vinery Stud Stakes winner Single Gaze who is at $13 to complete the double with an Oaks win this weekend.
The big drifter in the Australian Oaks markets is the third New Zealand visitor, Capella out from $6 to $11 with the Vinery Stud Stakes fifth placed daughter of Rip Van Winkle jumping from the second outside barrier today.
Also easing and out to a generous price for the win today is the David Hayes & Tom Dabernig-trained Sacred Eye ($15 out to $26), who has the inside run from barrier one.
Check out the latest Australian Oaks 2016 odds below before following the links on your favourites to Ladbrokes.com.au â home of the $500 first time depositorâs bonus with use of the code BETBONUS this season!