Favourite for the Oaks Trial is the Darren Weir trained Exceed and Excel filly
Fiera Vista, a last start winner of the Listed SAJC Morphettville Guineas over
1600 metres. She's drawn awkwardly, has top weight and isn't really bred
to run much further so a look down the list to find the staying bred fillies
might prove rewarding.Kiwi bred fillies Pressure and Oregon Dreamer are bred to stay, while Greysful Glamour might be by Stratum, but her female family is all European staying blood and screams Oaks filly. Stratum already has one of those to his credit in Streama, so this Sydney visitor will be worth a hard look on her last start third in the Group III Newcastle Spring Stakes.
Sizzling filly Sizzleme is also in contention and given her dam is by Zabeel and won at 2100 metres, she might find the longer trip also to her liking.
Favourite for the Derby Trial is the Darren Weir trained Dawn Approach (IRE) colt Approach Discreet, whose sire did not win beyond a mile and whose family, the famed 'Discreet' clan are generally sprinter milers with the exception of Group I SAJC Australasian Oaks winner Maybe Discreet.
Next in the betting is So You Think colt Merchant of Venice, whose dam is a
stakes-winner up to 2000 metres, so longer trips should suit him.Lightly raced staying bred types further down the list like Sydney Blue and Tolemac bear close watching. Sydney Blue is a half-brother by Sebring to outstanding stayers Fawkner and Tanby, while Tolemac is by one of the world's hottest young staying sires in Camelot (IRE) and his grand-dam is former classy Group II winning mare Zanna, that says Derby potential to me!
OTI have a happy knack for finding stayers and Raise the Flag (IRE) gelding Sollevare might not have the most trendy pedigree, but it does definitely say stayer!
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