The feature race at Flemington on Thursday is the Crown Oaks (2500m), with a strong field of three year old fillies assembled for the Classic.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 VRC Crown Oaks.
2024 Crown Oaks Runner Preview:
1. Treasurethe Moment: A deserving favourite given she was dominant in the Wakeful and that is the right form reference for this, according to history anyway. The draw is tricky but I am thinking if she gets across via Noises, she lobs in a perfect spot and becomes the one to beat.
2. Too Darn Discreet: Too Darn Discreet is flying for Dan O’Sullivan and has to be respected. She has won three on the bounce, the latest being the Ethereal a few weeks back when just off the speed before being clicked up and although she was there to be beaten, she found and was too good. Not sure what upside there is but she only has to hold her form to take beating.
3. Harlem Queen: I thought she was great in the Spring Champion. Not sure the race shape was to her liking but she kept on and kept finding the line when fourth to El Castello. The query I have is 2500m at this stage of her career. Fast forward to the Autumn and I reckon she’ll be the best of this bunch. But for this race, I feel she’s unders.
4. Rag Queen: Wasn’t too bad in defeat in the Spring Champion but just don’t think she’s quite good enough.
5. Powers Of Opal: Thought she had her chance in the Wakeful. Loomed to beat Treasurethe Moment but on the line, she was held. But, there was a big gap to third and I dare say that wasn’t the GF. This is and J Mac sticks.
6. Pleasure Artist: She stuck to the task well enough in the Spring Champion but 2000m saw her right out there so 2500m here has to be a genuine query so I can’t entertain her and have her marked much longer.
7. Talisay: I am going with the Wakeful form but I’ll side with Talisay at odds. On paper, just a run, but watching the replay and the way the race was run, she had no hope, but her late splits were quite good and her sectionals were third best behind the first two. I think she’ll love 2500m and she’s the right price to find out, and I dare say she’ll get out.
8. Femminile: Improving type for Phillip Stokes and was okay in the Ethereal but can’t see her turning the tables on Too Darn Discreet.
9. Killcare Beachgirl: She is a sneaky chance at odds if the track plays like it did on Tuesday, which suited those either up and/or in. She led at a crawl in the Wakeful and stuck on really well, something leaders didn’t do on Saturday. If she leads and gets control, she takes running down at odds.
10. Noises: Copped a bit too much heat on speed in the Spring Champion and tired late. I think that has her done for the prep.
11. Hurry Curry: Didn’t do a bad job in the Ethereal I thought, and keep in mind that she has been set for this race after winning the Oaks Trial. Stable knows what it takes with this race and she does give the impression of being suited at 2500m.
12. Inevitable Truth: Inevitable Truth is still a maiden but she has talent for John Sargent. She fourth in the Wakeful. Lacked change up speed when initially asked for the effort but she kept on and was good late in the piece behind Treasurethe Moment. Maps to do no work and be effective late.
13. Placid Pearl: She beat a bunch of walkers at Scone and for mine, is still doing a bit too much wrong to be considered a threat here.
14. All Kinds Of Folk: Nearly every VRC Oaks you get a maiden that is here because the owners want a runner in the race. Good luck to them. But no chance.
2024 Crown Oaks $100 Betting Strategy:
$10 Win/$40 Place Talisay
$25 Win Treasurethe Moment
$25 Win Powers Of Opal
Group l Strategy Outlay: $2300
Group l Strategy Return: $1045
2024 Crown Oaks Speed Map
Killcare Beachgirl led them up in the Wakeful on Saturday and suspect that will be the case once again here. Noises will press forward too and drawn alongside is Treasurethe Moment. Does Lane get the cart across via Noises, or opts for a sit out the back? Too Darn Discreet draws well and should be forwardly placed.
2024 Crown Oaks Odds:
