Quality field to line-up in the G1 Australasian Oaks

Image: Reg Ryan

Steinem has opened as equal favourite in Saturday's G1 Australasian Oaks

In a complete reversal of fortunes, Australasian Oaks favourite Steinem has drawn barrier one for the Group 1 contest at Morphettville.

The daughter of Frankel will be having her fourth race start in the 2000m contest on Saturday.

Following wins at Pakenham and Sandown in her first two starts, Steinem was backed as if unbeatable when sent off a $1.60 favourite in the Group 3 Auraria Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville on April 17.

However, Steinem drew the widest barrier in the 16-horse field that day and was ridden from the tail, circling the field on the home turn, eventually filling fourth place behind outsider Tyche Goddess.

David Eustace, who prepares Steinem in partnership with Ciraron Maher, is adamant the filly does not have to be ridden as far back as she was last start.

“I thought it was an enormous run,” Eustace said.

“She probably could not have finished any closer from where she was in the run, but we had to ride her that way because of the barrier.

“I don’t think she has to be ridden back. I know she won from a long way back at Sandown but she was a class above them.”

Eustace said the filly returned to Melbourne following the Morphettville outing.

“She came back to Caulfield and she worked very nicely on Saturday morning, so it’s all systems go,” Eustace said.

Melbourne Cup winning jockey Jye Mcneil, who has ridden the filly in her previous three starts, has the ride again.

Steinem shares favouritism with TAB at $4.50 with unbeaten Tasmanian filly Hela who drew barrier three for David Pires.

The Scott Brunton-trained three-year-old is due to fly to Melbourne before embarking on a float trip to Adelaide on Wednesday.

Market 💰: View the Odds for the Australasian Oaks