David Hayes concedes Streama holds a mortgage on the Australian Oaks but the Victorian trainer says his filly Rock Robster deserves to run in the Group One classic at Randwick.
“If something goes wrong with Streama then Rock Robster is in with an each-way chance,” Hayes said.
“Her form is good enough for her to run and she does run a mile-and-a-half.”
Rock Robster, rated a $35 chance in TAB Sportsbet’s Oaks market, gave an insight into her staying promise with her Tasmanian Oaks win in February.
A daughter of all-conquering sire Fastnet Rock, Rock Robster has raced twice since that maiden black type success, earning a Sydney trip with a Galilee Final placing over 2400m – the Oaks distance – at Mornington on April 8.
Craig Williams, chasing a personal best ninth Group One victory for the racing season at Saturday’s Doncaster Mile meeting, will ride Rock Robster for the first time.
An Australian Oaks win is missing from Hayes’s honour roll of 60 national Group One victories.
Streama, the Guy Walter-trained filly chasing her second Group One victory, continued to dominate Oaks betting on Monday.
The Flight Stakes winner who closed late to finish second to Mosheen in the Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill, remained a red-figure favourite with major wagering agencies.
New Zealand filly Full Of Spirit is a confirmed runner after her authoritative win in the Adrian Knox Stakes, a traditional Oaks lead-up, on Saturday.
“The late payment (of $15,400) was lodged this morning,” Australian Turf Club racing manager Colin Tuck said.
Acceptances for the $550,000 race will not be taken until Wednesday morning but a field of less than 10 starters is likely for the blue riband.
“At this stage we are looking at probably seven or eight runners,” Tuck said.
“But there could easily be more, depending on how horses pull up from the weekend.”
Full Of Spirit has been installed as a clear-cut second favourite at $4.50 with the Peter Moody-trained Thy on the third line of betting at $8.
