The final major at Caulfield this Saturday is the Oakleigh Plate (1100m), where Point Barrow is a clear favourite.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 Oakleigh Plate.
2026 Oakleigh Plate Runner Preview:
1. Hedged: He’s flying this horse but for me, he is one of many that appear really poorly weighted.
2. Jedibeel: Jedibeel is dangerous for Brad Widdup. They tried to race him at the elite level in the Spring and he didn’t quite measure up. He comes down a notch or two here for the return and I must say, he has looked to trial up very well in Sydney. Watch betting.
3. Tropicus: Tropicus has been set for this race for months and appears to be spot on. Team Freedman trained sprinter that does tend to save his best for Caulfield and his jumpout work suggests he is ready to go. Hopefully the market agrees.
4. Way To The Stars: I think dismiss at your peril because you know where he will be and recent meetings at Caulfield, it has been ideal to be up/in. I’d be surprised if he won but for exotics, cannot be dismissed.
5. Oak Hill: Got the A1 run in the Rubiton and took advantage to score. Gate is tricky and think this race is much harder.
6. She’s Bulletproof: I’ve been hot on She’s Bulletproof for this race for a number of weeks and won’t be dropping off. She placed in this race last year to Jimmysstar…and gee that form does read well for a race like this. Jumped out super to my eye for the return…well weighted? Maybe not, but I think she’s humming for this and is a great each way gamble.
7. Bridal Waltz: Talented sprinting mare but just think she is a level below these, despite this not being a strong Group l. I have others ahead of her.
8. Persian Spirit: He can really launch late but he wants a track with some juice in it. If we get a firm deck, I think he’ll struggle.
9. Spywire: Hit and miss this guy. Let down strongly to win two back before a solid effort in the Magic Millions Snippets. Jumped out well since, he parks off the hot speed…one for exotics.
10. Geegees Mistruth: Should have won the Adams, closing hard from off speed. But, winner did it from the front and copped heat, so was this mare flattered? I say potentially. Maps to stalk the speed and launch late.
11. Don’t Hope Do: Tried hard in the Rubiton but just couldn’t quite fend off Oak Hill. Genuine animal that tries hard, but lacks the class.
12. De Bergerac: Prepped up to win off two jumpouts, the latest over 1000m, so the grounding is there…watch betting.
13. Gallant Son: He is absolutely flying but surely this is a bridge too far too soon?
14. Point Barrow: She is going to need a 12/10 by Melham. Likely be back near last in the run and will be spotting them a massive start. She has a booming finale to launch late. But what start does she concede? She can win, but I’d want $5+ before betting.
2026 Oakleigh Plate $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win / $80 Place She’s Bulletproof Tote/SP
Group l Strategy Outlay: $3400
Group l Strategy Return: $2893
Oakleigh Plate Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HEDGED | Gavin Bedggood | Harry Coffey | 5 | 59kg |
| 2 | JEDIBEEL (NZ) | Brad Widdup | Damian Lane | 13 | 58.5kg |
| 3 | TROPICUS | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Craig Williams | 9 | 58.5kg |
| 4 | WAY TO THE STARS | Matthew Smith | Ethan Brown | 14 | 58kg |
| 5 | OAK HILL (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Beau Mertens | 11 | 57kg |
| 6 | SHE’S BULLETPROOF | Charlotte Littlefield | Ms Celine Gaudray | 4 | 56.5kg |
| 7 | BRIDAL WALTZ | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Ben Melham | 12 | 56kg |
| 8 | PERSIAN SPIRIT | Symon Wilde | Daniel Stackhouse | 8 | 56kg |
| 9 | SPYWIRE | Ciaron Maher | Jye McNeil | 6 | 56kg |
| 10 | GEEGEES MISTRUTH | Mark Walker | Michael Dee | 1 | 54kg |
| 11 | DON’T HOPE DO | Simon Zahra | Teo Nugent | 7 | 52.5kg |
| 12 | DE BERGERAC | Grahame Begg | Logan Bates (a) | 2 | 52kg |
| 13 | GALLANT SON | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Cartwright (a) | 3 | 52kg |
| 14 | POINT BARROW | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Ms Jamie Melham | 10 | 50kg |
Oakleigh Plate Odds
2026 Oakleigh Plate Speed Map
Way To The Stars only knows one way to run and that is flat out fast, leading. He should spear across the wide gate and take it up. Don’t Hope Do will press forward as well, while the likes of Tropicus and Bridal Waltz will settle handy.
