The Oakleigh Plate is set to feature Lightning Stakes scratchings Mornington Glory and I Am Me at the top of the weights, with the Moir Stakes winner expected to claim the 58kg topweight when nominations close tomorrow. Despite I Am Me’s higher handicap rating of 112 compared to Mornington Glory’s 110, the mare’s 2kg allowance means she will be listed below Mornington Glory.
This adjustment benefits other key runners, such as Estriella (55kg), Ostraka (55.5kg), Rey Magnerio (55kg), and Jimmysstar (54.5kg), who will carry lighter weights than anticipated.
Three-year-olds Espionage and Lofty Arch face a nervous wait to secure a spot in the field. Espionage’s connections are likely to nominate the horse for the Zedative Stakes as a backup. Lofty Arch’s team may follow suit, opting for a less demanding race.
Craig Williams will reunite with She’s Bulletproof, while Nash Rawiller heads to Melbourne to ride I Am Me. Mark Zahra will pilot Ostraka in his race return after winning the Silver Eagle.
Estriella heads the market with betting apps at $3.20 ahead of I Am Me and Rey Magnerio both at $7.00 with all other runners $10+.
Likely Field for the Oakleigh Plate
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I AM ME | C Maher | N Rawiller |
| 2 | MORNINGTON GLORY | G Bedggood | B Mertens |
| 3 | ESTRIELLA | C Maher | B Shinn |
| 4 | REY MAGNERIO | R Griffiths | J McNeil |
| 5 | SGHIRRIPA | S & C Oxlade | M Dee |
| 6 | JIMMYSSTAR | C Maher | E Brown |
| 7 | INSURRECTION | M Freedman | |
| 8 | OSTRAKA | A Neasham | M Zahra |
| 9 | GOLDEN BOOM | T Gollan | D Lane |
| 10 | BRUDENELL | K Lees | |
| 11 | HEADWALL | M Smith | H Coffey |
| 12 | HARD TO SAY | J Deamer | C Newitt |
| 13 | ASHFORD STREET | T Dabernig | |
| 14 | SHE’S BULLETPROOF | C Littlefield | C Williams |
| 15 | PRAIRIE FLOWER | W Clarken & N O’Shea | K Crowther |
| 16 | MISS ARIA | D O’Brien | |
| 17 | PONDALOWIE | D & E Browne | J Stanley (a) |
| 18 | LOFTY ARCH | A Rae | |
| 19 | ARABIAN SUMMER | T & C McEvoy | J Melham |
| 20 | ESPIONAGE | G Waterhouse & A Bott |
