EXPERT RACING TIPS: OAKBANK

OAKBANK PREVIEW AND TIPS | EXPERT TIPS | WEDNESDAY MARCH 5TH 2025

Betting Strategy

BACK: 3. Discreetly Blue (WIN) for 3 units

This looks the right race for Discreetly Blue to breakthrough. She’s a filly with a bit of talent and will be looking to win this and head tio some better races in town. Was excellent 2nd up over 1600m when coursed wide at Strath but still let down nicely for a 0.1L 2nd. Extra trip suits here and like the booking of Jason Holder. Rikki Riccardo was a short priced favourite beaten last time out when leading and grabbed near the post for 1L 2nd. Is bursting to win a race but has bumped into a smart one here. If Discreetly Blue has an off day then this horse could lead and prove hard to catch. Empress Of Soul worked home well for 3rd in the same race at Discreetly Blue when wasn’t really in the market. Is another that looks suite with the distance rise. Kailee’s Boy ran a better race last time out for 2nd after a couple of ordinary runs. This is probably not his race to win but should be around the minor money.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 8. Star Gladiator (WIN AND PLACE) for 2 units

Star Gladiator was poor first up before going around at $151 last time out and could have been something beaten. Pannell ducked and weaved in the straight but kept getting blocked. Im convinced the horse is going better than the form suggests. Might be one at big odds to back each-way. Like the fact that Todd Pannell is sticking the ride. Zouhoff is first up here and ran a really good race fresh on debut last campaign. Draws well and tuned up with a couple of quiet trials. Classy Claret returns from a break here and didn’t do a lot of debut. Given time to mature, has trialed and the fact Jason Holder has chosen this over the stablemate (which he also trialed) could be a good push. Bad To The Bone was heavily backed at Clare and ran a decent enough 3rd after not having the best of luck. Well weighted with the 2kg claim for Alan Lai.

BACK: 8. Star Gladiator (WIN AND PLACE) for 2 units

Star Gladiator was poor first up before going around at $151 last time out and could have been something beaten. Pannell ducked and weaved in the straight but kept getting blocked. Im convinced the horse is going better than the form suggests. Might be one at big odds to back each-way. Like the fact that Todd Pannell is sticking the ride. Zouhoff is first up here and ran a really good race fresh on debut last campaign. Draws well and tuned up with a couple of quiet trials. Classy Claret returns from a break here and didn’t do a lot of debut. Given time to mature, has trialed and the fact Jason Holder has chosen this over the stablemate (which he also trialed) could be a good push. Bad To The Bone was heavily backed at Clare and ran a decent enough 3rd after not having the best of luck. Well weighted with the 2kg claim for Alan Lai.

Betting Strategy

Stolen Kiss is coming across from the Stokes Pakenham stable and was pretty plain first up at Caulfield when 5th of 5th. Has been given a freshen up and will find this MDN a lot easier. High Heeled debuts here after 5 trials. Given plenty of time to get ready for the race debut. Jason Holder goes aboard here. Lady Of Savoy is desperate to win a race and should get every chance here with the 4kg claim for Isaac Sit. Finished a narrow 2nd here after leading but was gunned down late. Looks the likely leader again and is proven to handle the track. Belle Hostess ran a couple of cheeky races on Kangaroo Island when leading. Looks the testing material with Lady of Savoy. They could carve each-other up and suit it for a backmaker. Should be thereabouts.

Betting Strategy

Bush Inference gave them a beat down at Strathalbyn last start when picked a gap in the straight and burst through for a dominant 4.2L victory. No reason why he can’t go on with things now he’s found form. Only penalised 1.5kg at the weights for the victory. Winning rider Rochelle Milnes stays aboard. Alpine Beau is racing in good form this prep and has a great overall record at Oakbank with 2 wins and 2 seconds from 5 starts. Will find this easier than metro racing. Can win again. Eight On The Dot will find this MUCH easier than a unplaced effort at Group 3 level. Ran 2nd at this track two back and has never missed a place in three attempts over this trip. Zain Prince was a good winner last time out at Naracoorte. Draws well and this doesn’t look much harder.

Betting Strategy

Duchess Of Sussex has some talent but has been a touch disappointing in metro races of late. Drops back a bit in grade here and the blinkers being applied with the 3kg claim places her very nicely in a race like this. Can improve here. Tara Rani showed some ability last prep and raced without luck on occasions before breaking through. Returns here with a nice jump out under the belt and looks well suited with the claim. Maxildo is another returning from a break. Is a lightly raced 4yo Gelding that was very competitive in harder races than this last prep. They have tinkered with ear for the fresh run which suggests its ready to go. Beers With Clint was OK first up. Loomed to win it at a big price but condition gave out. Is only 1 from 40 but has placed 2nd his only start at Oakbank. Could be a knockout player here and one for the multiples.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 8. Lake Agawam (WIN AND PLACE) for 2 units

Competitive race this one. Lake Agawam has been flying since joining the Liz Faust yard. Was a tragedy beaten last time out when charged through late to just miss. The start before that was beaten fair and square by the talented favourite in Skinder but now meets that horse 4kg better at the weights with the 2kg claim. Will be charging home again and hopefully with the pull will be over the top of them. Skinder is a talented and lightly raced 5yo Mare that grows a leg every time she comes to Oakbank. Was a dominant winner here last start pulling away to win by almost 3L with something in hand. Is now starting to lug the big weights but class alone should have her going very close. Vallencourt has been disappointing this prep but has the right recipe for improvement here. Drops big time in grade, gets a 3kg claim and the blinkers have been applied. Best would see her going close here. Zufasta is a bit hit and miss with form but best would have him right in the thick of things here. Races well at Oakbank blinkers on and gets a little weight swing from the clash with Skinder.

BACK: 8. Lake Agawam (WIN AND PLACE) for 2 units

Competitive race this one. Lake Agawam has been flying since joining the Liz Faust yard. Was a tragedy beaten last time out when charged through late to just miss. The start before that was beaten fair and square by the talented favourite in Skinder but now meets that horse 4kg better at the weights with the 2kg claim. Will be charging home again and hopefully with the pull will be over the top of them. Skinder is a talented and lightly raced 5yo Mare that grows a leg every time she comes to Oakbank. Was a dominant winner here last start pulling away to win by almost 3L with something in hand. Is now starting to lug the big weights but class alone should have her going very close. Vallencourt has been disappointing this prep but has the right recipe for improvement here. Drops big time in grade, gets a 3kg claim and the blinkers have been applied. Best would see her going close here. Zufasta is a bit hit and miss with form but best would have him right in the thick of things here. Races well at Oakbank blinkers on and gets a little weight swing from the clash with Skinder.

Betting Strategy

Greenidge looks hard to beat here with the smart 3kg claim for Matthew Chadwick. Likes to lead in her races and prove hard to mow down. Won in dominant fashion two back before being run down late at Balaklava. Will give you a sight for your money in the last. Apache Star drops in grade after under-performing both runs back from a break. Blinkers go on here and drops in grade. The 3kg claim for Jade Doyle will help offset the big weight. Heidi Heido Ho races well here and finished a narrow 2nd this track/trip behind Navy Gold who looks to have some upside. Should be right in the finish again. Pricilla’s Choice backs up from Sunday where she bombed the start but finished 2.7L 4th. Don’t mind following horses on the quick turnaround. Especially if there’s money for them. Watch markets.