Fillies Serve It Up in Oakleigh Plate

She Will Reign | Bronwen Healy

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A winner of the G1 Blue Diamond S. on this day 12 months prior, 3-year-old filly Catchy (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) is a class commodity, and as one of three fillies of her age contesting the 1100m Group 1 sprint, the winner of five from 10 ticks many boxes heading into the race.

G1 Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign (Aus) (Manhattan Reign {Aus}) resumed from a spell with a win at Warwick Farm on Feb. 10, and while she didn't blow her rivals away, one suspects it was nothing more than a $250,000 barrier trial, and this race is her main aim. While she does jump from barrier 17 in the field, trainer Gary Portelli has commented that he has no issue with the wide gate, as the filly will now go back and charge late, just like she did when victorious in the G1 Moir S. on Sept. 29, at Moonee Valley.

Although she is yet to have that Group 1 win on her resume, Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra's Booker (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) has the form on the board, including a win over Catchy, to take the prize.

Unbeaten fresh, winning three from three, and heading into the race with some solid barrier trial performances, Snowden Racing's Group 1 winner Russian Revolution (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) is likely to head to stud this spring, and another Group 1 beside his name would only further enhance the stud credentials of this well-bred son of the reigning champion sire.

Winning the race 12 months prior when having her first start of her campaign, 6-year-old mare Sheidel (Aus) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) likes to lead, and from a little worse than mid-field, the mare will have to use her speed to get across. While she went winless last campaign, the mare is a winner of 15 races and over $1.6 million, so her class will keep her in the race for a long way.

Invited during the week to head to the G1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night, the Peter Gelagotis stable will use the Oakleigh Plate as the lead in run for Illustrious Lad (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) before he departs for Dubai.

An interesting runner is the Hawkes Racing-trained Glenall (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), a 4-year-old who is yet to win a black-type race, but his fourth to Russian Caravan in the G1 Galaxy in March, when slightly unlucky sees the Dwayne Dunn-ridden prospect in with a show.

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