Following Tuesday’s iconic Melbourne Cup when the 164th winner of the ‘Race That Stops a Nation’ is crowned, the Melbourne Cup Carnival action continues at Flemington Thursday with the 2024 VRC Crown Oaks where the airborne Treasurethe Moment is favourite to continue her ace form.
The Group 1 $1 million VRC Oaks (2500m) is again sponsored by Crown in 2024 and runs as the 2024 Crown Oaks on Thursday afternoon.
The VRC Oaks field features 14 of the season’s best staying fillies led by the flying Matt Laurie-trained daughter of Alabama Express, Treasurethe Moment, who chases her fourth win on the trot.
At her latest she rose in grade on Derby Day for the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) and won that key Oaks lead-up in style by 1.75 lengths.
On the quick back-up she now rises in distance and heads the latest VRC Oaks odds online at $3.30 and firming through Ladbrokes.com.au with Damian Lane retaining the ride from wider out in gate 12.
The Wakeful Stakes has produced 11 of the past 20 VRC Oaks winners with the last to do the double being Willowy (2021).
The danger following very closely in VRC Oaks betting at $3.60 is the other best out of the Wakeful from last Saturday with the runner-up Powers Of Opal a chance to turn the tables.
John Sargent‘s Ocean Park filly was short-priced favourite in the Wakeful after a dominant 5.45 length Hawkesbury maiden win over the mile.
She failed to get the job done for the punters however but in her second Group 1 assignment after a Flight Stakes fourth in Sydney earlier, there is money for her to atone from a good gate nine draw with James McDonald aboard again in the Oaks.
McDonald rode Zardozi, who lines up in Tuesday’s 24-horse Melbourne Cup field a genuine chance, to victory in the race last year and chases back-to-back wins by a hoop for the first time since Damien Oliver rode three on the trot from 2019-21.
In an open top half of the Oaks market a further two fillies are also at single figures to win with the Nathan Doyle-trained Harlem Queen ($6) and the ultra-consistent Dan O’Sullivan-trained Too Darn Discreet ($8) also coming off a hot streak of wins.
Brutal filly Harlem Queen was runner-up in Randwick’s Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) two back before stepping out against the boys for a brave Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) fourth behind El Castello on October 26 only two lengths beaten.
Too Darn Discreet, a daughter of sire of the moment Too Darn Hot, has won her latest three straight in Melbourne including the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) followed by the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) on Caulfield Cup Day.
The 2024 Crown Oaks is set to run as Flemington Race 8 at 5:10pm (AEDT) on Thursday’s card.
Crown Oaks 2024 Odds
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1. Treasurethe Moment (12)
J: Damian Lane 56kg
T: Matt Laurie |
||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently ran on from midfield and won by 1.75 len at this track G2 Wakeful November 2 over 2000m defeating Powers Of Opal with 55kg at $5. The run before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a long-neck at Caulfield 3yo Bm70 October 16 over 1600m defeating Acta Non Verba carrying 57.5kg at $3.30. Won the key lead up on Saturday, has to be a huge chance again. | ||
|
2. Too Darn Discreet (3)
J: Michael Dee 56kg
T: Dan O'Sullivan |
||
| On a three run winning streak. Most recently favourite; ran on from midfield and won by a long-neck at Caulfield G3 Ethereal October 19 over 2000m on a rain affected track defeating Jenni's Meadow with 58kg at $3.80. The start before that favourite; won by 0.8 len at this track G2 E Manifold October 5 over 1600m on a soft track defeating Declichy Boulevard with 56kg at $9.50. Has done nothing wrong to date, must respect. | ||
|
3. Harlem Queen (5)
J: Blake Shinn 56kg
T: Nathan Doyle |
||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run 4th of 10 at Randwick in the G1 Champion on October 26 over 2000m, 2 len behind El Castello with 54.5kg at $8. The start before that 2nd in a small field at Randwick in the G1 Flight on October 5 over 1600m, 3 len behind Lady Shenandoah with 56kg at $7.50. Must respect her bringing the strong Sydney form. | ||
|
4. Rag Queen (4)
J: Chad Schofield 56kg
T: David Payne |
||
| Most recently got back early 7th of 10 at Randwick in the G1 Champion on October 26 over 2000m, 4 len behind El Castello with 54.5kg at $14. The race before that 4th of 12 at Rosehill in the G3 Gloaming on October 12 over 1800m, 2.5 len behind El Castello carrying 54.5kg at $26. Can run well out to this trip. | ||
|
5. Powers Of Opal (9)
J: James McDonald 56kg
T: J G Sargent |
||
| Recent form sound. Most recently made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 12 at this track in the G2 Wakeful on November 2 over 2000m, 1.75 len behind Treasurethe Moment with 55.5kg at $1.80. The run before that favourite; scored a big 5.5 len win at Hawkesbury Super Mdn October 17 over 1600m defeating Glory Start with 59kg at $1.20. Heavily backed on Saturday and will relish the test of stamina now. | ||
|
6. Pleasure Artist (6)
J: Craig Williams 56kg
T: R & W Freedman |
||
| Useful type. Most recently 5th of 10 at Randwick in the G1 Champion on October 26 over 2000m, 2.25 len behind El Castello with 54.5kg at $10. The start before that came home strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 9 at Randwick in the LR Dulcify on October 5 over 1600m, 2.25 len behind Swiftfalcon carrying 54.5kg at $26. Coming along well, respect. | ||
|
7. Talisay (8)
J: Billy Egan 56kg
T: Byron Cozamanis |
||
| Most recently 6th of 12 at this track in the G2 Wakeful on November 2 over 2000m, 7 len behind Treasurethe Moment carrying 55kg at $26. The run before that ran on strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 10 at Morphettville in the LR Hill Smith on October 19 over 1800m, 2.75 len behind Goldrush Guru with 55kg at $9.50. Wasn't bad last time, could sneak into the first four. | ||
|
8. Femminile (13)
J: Daniel Stackhouse 56kg
T: Phillip Stokes |
||
| At the latest run raced on the pace when 3rd of 10 at Caulfield in the G3 Ethereal on October 19 over 2000m, on a slow track; 0.9 len behind Too Darn Discreet carrying 57kg at $7. The race before that eased back early on 6th of 10 at this track in the LR Super Impose on October 5 over 1800m, 3.5 len behind Keeneland carrying 56kg at $13. Should stay strongly, not sure she has the class. | ||
|
9. Killcare Beachgirl (2)
J: Tim Clark 56kg
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott |
||
| Useful filly. Last start led but faded 3rd of 12 at this track in the G2 Wakeful on November 2 over 2000m, 6 len behind Treasurethe Moment with 55kg at $17. The start before that led to the turn then faded 6th of 10 at Caulfield in the G3 Ethereal on October 19 over 2000m, slow going 4.5 len behind Too Darn Discreet carrying 56kg at $4. Stuck on well Saturday but hard to see her turning the tables. | ||
|
10. Noises (11)
J: Andrew Adkins 56kg
T: Brad Widdup |
||
| At the latest run 8th of 10 at Randwick in the G1 Champion on October 26 over 2000m, 4.5 len behind El Castello with 54.5kg at $61. The start before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 8 at Warwick Farm F&M Bm72 on October 7 over 1600m, 1.4 len behind Mountain Top carrying 55kg at $7.50. Has a few lengths to find. | ||
|
11. Hurry Curry (7)
J: Joao Moreira 56kg
T: Danny O'Brien |
||
| Most recently 5th of 10 at Caulfield in the G3 Ethereal on October 19 over 2000m, slow going 2.75 len behind Too Darn Discreet with 56kg at $4.50. Before that raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.5 len at this track 3yo F SWP September 22 over 1800m defeating Inevitable Truth carrying 56kg at $3.80. Nice filly who missed a run in the Wakeful which may be against. | ||
|
12. Inevitable Truth (1)
J: Jye McNeil 56kg
T: J G Sargent |
||
| Last start 4th of 12 at this track in the G2 Wakeful on November 2 over 2000m, 6 len behind Treasurethe Moment with 55kg at $19. The start before that 4th of 10 at Caulfield in the G3 Ethereal on October 19 over 2000m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Too Darn Discreet with 56kg at $8.50. Hard to see her turning the tables. | ||
|
13. Placid Pearl (14)
J: Ben Melham 56kg
T: Matthew Smith |
||
| Most recently favourite; won by 2.25 len at Scone Cl1-Sw October 25 over 2200m defeating Justifiably with 55kg at $2.30. Before that 2nd in a small field at Hawkesbury Mdn-Sw on October 10 over 1800m, 0.8 len behind Suay Mam'selle carrying 55kg at $2.50. Looking to others on this occasion. | ||
|
14. All Kinds Of Folk (10)
J: Luke Currie 56kg
T: John & Chris Ledger |
||
| Last start 9th of 12 at this track in the G2 Wakeful on November 2 over 2000m, 10 len behind Treasurethe Moment carrying 55kg at $61. The run before that 8th of 10 at Caulfield in the G3 Ethereal on October 19 over 2000m, slow going 7 len behind Too Darn Discreet carrying 56kg at $17. Looks tested in this field. | ||
Data retrieved: 05/11/2024 11:21:28 AM (Australia/Brisbane)
WHAT ARE YOU PREPARED TO LOSE TODAY? SET A DEPOSIT LIMIT.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Race comments
The Group 1 VRC Oaks. Keen to be with POWERS OF OPAL (5) who ran second in the G2 Wakeful on Saturday which is traditionally the best Oaks platform. She was backed off the map there and loomed up as the winner but couldn't reel in the winner off a slow tempo. She looks ideally suited to 2500m now and can exact revenge. HARLEM QUEEN (3) comes through the G1 Spring Champion, finishing fourth there. That form was okay in the Derby and she must be respected with Shinn booked. TREASURETHE MOMENT (1) won the Wakeful on Saturday and wasn't stopping late at all. Tricky draw but she's hard to knock. PLEASURE ARTIST (6) was fifth in the Spring Champion and has claims while RAG QUEEN (4) could be an improver to 2500m.