By Adam Hamilton
STAR Kiwi raider Stylish Memphis has lost favouritism after drawing the worst possible barrier for Saturday night’s Group 1 Victoria Oaks (2760m) at Melton.
The most impressive heat winner will come from outside the back row gate 13 and is already out to $2.80 with the Aussie TAB. She was $2 pre-draw.
The new favourite is another Kiwi, Cran Dalgety’s Dr Susan ($2.50), who boasts terrific early speed and looks the leader from gate five.
The top Aussie hope, Emma Stewart’s heat winner Maajida, also drew the back row (gate nine) and is a $3.20 chance.
The other winners for the draw were NSW filly Jenden Strike (gate one, $14) and Maajida’s stablemate, Amelia Rose (gate two, $17).
NZ’s highest rate Derby hope, Smooth Deal, didn’t make the final, but a former Kiwi still heads the betting for the final after the draw.
Line Up, now trained and driven by Anthony Butt, brilliantly led throughout to win his heat in very slick time.
He’s drawn to lead again from gate three and is $2.40 favourite.
Another impressive heat winner, Queensland’s Governor Jujon, drew just outside Line Up in gate four and is the $2.80 second elect.
Such is the respect for heat disappointment Be Happy Mach, he’s $4.50 despite being emergency and drawing the back row (gate nine).
There has been early support ($51 into $26) for Barry Purdon’s Bad To The Bone, who ran well after working in his heat and draws inside the back row (gate eight) for the final. He should settle three pegs, which is a good spot in staying races at Melton.
The regally-bred Soho Hamilton, a brother to Soho Tribeca trained and driven by Mick Stanley, drew the pole and is a kept safe at $9.
The other heat winner, Emma Stewart’s Pacifico Dream, is also $9 from the back row (gate nine).
VICTORIA OAKS DRAW
Front row
- Jensen Strike $14
- Amelia Rose $17
- Rockingwithsierra $21
- Good Faith $51
- Dr Susan $2.50
- Its Ebonynivory $201
- Its Longtall Sally $101
Back row
- Soho Gloria Jane $41
- Maajida $3.20
- Dasha The Great (emerg, $201)
- Alice Kay $26
- Its Beaujolais $151
- Stylish Memphis $2.80
VICTORIA DERBY DRAW
Front row
- Soho Hamilton $9
- Hesty $81
- Line Up $2.40
- Governor Jujon $2.80
- Youaremy Sunshine $26
- Mach Dan $41
- Virgil $101
Back row
- Bad To The Bone $26
- Pacifico Dream $9
- Perfect Stride $11
- Be Happy Mach (emerg, $4.50)
- Mirragon $11
- Mach Da Vinci $15