1/ Aloisia (NZ) (3f Azamour (Fr) x Queen Boudicca, by Perfectly Ready) – Won the Group I MRC Thousand Guineas in the spring, but was only sixth in the VRC Oaks after getting worked up before hand.
From the lone NZ crop of European Classic type sire, whose best horse won the Dubai Sheema Classic over 2400m. Dam won one race at 1100m, but she is from a daughter of Victoria Derby winner Grosvenor from a US family, whose best member is Bet Twice, who won the Group I Belmont Stakes at 2400m at three. Could easily offer more at her second try at the longer trip.
2/ Hiyaam (NZ) 3f (High Chaparral (IRE) x Mazarine, by Zabeel) – Last start winner of the Group I Vinery Stud Stakes at 2000m and was third in the VRC Oaks.
As far as Oaks pedigrees go this is gold! It doesn't get any better. High Chaparral is an outstanding classic sire and her unraced dam by Zabeel is a sister to Australian Oaks winner Shower of Roses from the legendary Eight Carat family.
3/ Unforgotten (3f Fastnet Rock x Memories of You (IRE), by Galileo – Second in the Group I Vinery Stud Stakes and on trial at the longer trip.
Dam is by Galileo, which is a big plus and she comes from a massive European Black Type family, although they aren't dead set stayers, more quality miler/ 2000m horses, so the last little bit may test, although class carries you a long way in these races. The Fastnet Rock x Galileo cross has already produced Epsom Oaks winner Qualify.
4/ Savvy Coup (NZ) (3f Savabeel x Eudora, by Pins) – Won the New Zealand Oaks so proven at the trip and in top form.
By the champion New Zealand sire and the next two dams are by Pins and O'Reilly, do we really need to know any more? Of course it's a stayer.
5/ Luvaluva (NZ) (3f Mastercraftsman x Wansesingyee, by Galileo) – Won the Group III ATC Adrian Knox last Saturday under 60kg and was fourth in the VRC Oaks.
Her sire was more of a miler to 2000m horse, but has thrown a number of high class stayers and her dam is by the world's best sire Galileo. Her family is Australian further down the page and littered with sprinting stakes-winners, but am inclined to think what is up close in her pedigree is more relevant and she's flying.
6/ Bring Me Roses (3f High Chaparral (IRE) x Freckled Face, by Polish Patriot (GB) – Second in VRC Oaks, but two Sydney runs below par.
By an outstanding classic sire, but her dam was a very fast filly that never won beyond 1200 metres and of her eight winning siblings none have won beyond 1600m. VRC Oaks run would suggest she's a very different horse to those siblings!
7/ Contessa Vanessa (NZ) (3f Bullbars x Di Lusso, by Lonhro) – Winner at 2100 m and second in New Zealand Oaks.
By Bullbars, a sprinting half-brother to Helmet and dam is by Lonhro (not noted for his stayers) from a renowned European speed family that includes champion sire Invincible Spirit. Form guide says stayer, pedigree says otherwise.
8/ Danzdanzdance (NZ) (3f Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Night Danza, by Danzero) – Third in the New Zealand Derby and fifth in the Vinery Stud Stakes.
Dam unraced, but by Danzero who could get a good stayer (think Fairway, who won the Australian Derby) and the family features high class filly Lucia Valentina, who placed in an Australian Oaks and Caulfield Cup.
9 / Chilly Cha Cha (NZ) (3f Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Queen Cha Cha, by High Chaparral) – Third in the Adrian Knox after good wins at the provincials and on trial at trip.
One of four in the race for Mastercraftsman, which tells you something and is half-sister to Group I winner Suavito, who was good up to 2000m. Love the dam being by High Chaparral, that will be a major plus when she needs to find some stamina.
10 / She's a Treasure (NZ) 3f Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Penny Whistle, by O'Reilly) – Stakes-winner at 1800m in NZ and then sixth in the Adrian Knox.
From tough Kiwi family packed with Black Type including Group I Auckland Cup winner Chenille and second and third dams both stakes-winning stayers. Bred to be an Oaks filly so can see why connections have her here.
11/ Miss Admiration (3f Sebring x Admiring by Street Cry (IRE) – Won a 2000m maiden two starts back and was fifth in the VRC Oaks in the spring.
By Sebring, who can get a stayer and from a stakes-placed daughter of champion sire Street Cry that placed in a WA Oaks and is a half-sister to a WA Belmont Oaks winner. Has some staying ability, but class is an issue.
12/ Naivasha (3f Starcraft x Durban, by Helenus) – Won Stony Creek maiden at 2100m at third start, so massively up in class and distance.
If this horse was bred and raced by anyone else, you'd say no way, but Trevor Delroy of Wyadup Valley Farm can breed stayers and this filly fits his profile as she's by a Derby winner in Starcraft from the daughter of a another Derby winner in Helenus and just to make a bird of it, Durban the dam is a sister to Delroy's Australian Derby winner Ethiopia.
13/ Wild Sea (3f Dalakhani (IRE) x Planet Lane, by Galileo (IRE) – Won 2200m maiden at Sale at second start, so is the least experienced runner in the race.
From an Australian speed Black Type family tracing to former star filly Verdi, who placed in a VRC Oaks, but Dalakhani and Galileo are serious world class staying blood so can see why connections are having a throw at the stumps.
Tips
1/ Unforgotten
2/ Luvalulva
3/ Chilly Cha Cha
Roughie
Naivasha
