High quality mare Marabi faces her toughest test to date this Saturday in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m), with the high pressure Group l event attracting a quality field.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2022 Oakleigh Plate.
Market 💰: View the Odds for the Oakleigh Plate
2022 Oakleigh Plate Speed Map
2022 Oakleigh Plate Runner Preview
1. Wild Ruler: Big weights can be offset by class in this race, and he is indeed the class runner of the field having won the Moir in the Spring and did run well prior to that behind Nature Strip. He’s trialled well leading in and stable can get them ready for a Grand Final.
2. Zoutori: Has run well in this race in previous years, but they tried him out as a miler in the Spring, so not sure what the plans are this prep. I’m happy to just watch.
3. Jonker: Tough on speed effort to win the Manikato and I love horses that go out for a spell on a high, because it means they can return and produce something similar or even better. Trialled up nicely at Doomben and he could get a lovely run in transit if he stalks the speed.
4. Bella Nipotina: Ripping mare for the Maher/Eustace camp. Really came of age in the Spring, with placings in the Manikato and VRC Sprint Classic. Tricky draw, but should get three wide cover and be strong at the end. A win wouldn’t shock.
5. Marabi: Marabi does look the one to beat. She puts herself on speed, she relaxes, she can sprint sitting on a good speed and she runes time. Spanked them in the Australia Stakes at The Valley. It was said prior to that run, but has she beaten a great deal? The form behind her from that race, as a whole, stinks. But every time the bar is raised, she passes with flying colours. Not sure I could dive into her short odds, but she’s the one to beat.
6. Oxley Road: Consistent animal for Peter Moody who resumed two weeks ago in the Rubiton and IMO, Luke Nolen went too slow in front. He seems a more rolling type so I suspect they’ll be the tactics here. Serious weight relief a big tick and has upside. Must for multiples.
7. Away Game: Away Game is a quality mare for the Maher/Eustace camp that has been kept on ice since contesting the Magic Millions Sprint where she ran a gallant race on speed but was no match for a Group l winner in waiting, Isotope. Far from disgraced behind Marabi here the start prior, so she’s in the mix.
8. Malkovich: This looks a throw at the stumps. Plain in a weaker race at Randwick last time. Stable is flying but I’d be very surprised if this horse was able to win.
9. Minhaaj: Minhaaj is prepped up big time for this. There aren’t many options for her to win a Group l but this is certainly one, and she has drawn a perfect gate. Two runs for the O’Shea camp in the Spring, resulting in a couple of dominant wins. Trials in Sydney have been outstanding, she stalks a hot speed and gets last look.
10. Poland: Very interesting runner. Returns to racing as a gelding with the Blinkers off. Looks like he is being trained as a sprinter now and his recent jumpout was a good piece of work. I’ve seen worse $51+ chances.
11. Streetcar Stranger: Has a real love affair with Caulfield but each time has been blessed in the run, and in weaker races than this. Looking elsewhere.
12. Ingratiating: Intent with Blinkers going on and the stable not electing to running the more fancied Paulele. I thought he was ordinary first up, but he does seem to race better with the Blinkers on. I couldn’t back him to win.
13: General Beau: Always have to respect 3YO’s down in the weights in this race, as seen last year with Portland Sky. I just don’t think he’s good enough to measure up against some of these.
2022 Oakleigh Plate $100 Betting Strategy:
I think the bet here has to be Minhaaj. She just maps to get a super run in transit and appears prepped up to win. $25 Win/$75 Place at $8.5/$2.7.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $3370
Group l Strategy Return: $8920.6
