The third day of the Flemington Spring carnival sees the running of the A$1-million G1 Crown Oaks over 2500 metres, with the dominant favourite being last-start G1 WS Cox Plate (2040m) third Yankee Rose (Aus) (All American {Aus}).
With the form franked on Tuesday with Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}), who finished second in the Cox Plate coming out and running an admirable third in the G1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), it appears on form alone nothing should be able to defeat the David Vandyke-trained filly, already a Group 1 winner over 1600 metres and 2000 metres.
Of the 14 runners accepted to take on Yankee Rose, there are only three other stakes winners in the field. The best performance at Group 1 level by any runner in the field outside the favourite is a fifth by Harlow Gold (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) behind Global Glamour (Aus) (Star Witness {Aus}) in the G1 Thousand Guineas (1600m). I Am A Star (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}), who finished second that day, came out last Saturday and proved the class runner when winning the G1 Myer Classic (1600m).
While there are never any certainties in racing, only bad luck in running should see Yankee Rose defeated, but if this does occur, it could come from the last-start G3 Ethereal S. (2000m) winner Eleonora (NZ) (Makfi {GB}). She defeated Tiamo Grace (Aus) (Monaco Consul {NZ}) by more than a length that day, with that beaten filly having since won the G2 Wakeful S. (2000m) defeating Oaks runners Sebring Dream (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) and Missrock (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Eleonora is out of a daughter of four time Group 1-winning champion stayer Ethereal (NZ), whose elite level conquests include the Caulfield Cup–Melbourne Cup double.
The David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained Harlow Gold has a pedigree to suggest that the race distance shouldn't pose any concern, with her half-brothers both successful at a trip, while her sire Tavistock produced last season's G1 Victoria Derby winner Tarzino (NZ); G1 Australian Derby winner Tavago (NZ) and Hong Kong's G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Werther (NZ).
Last start Moonee Valley winner Smart As You Think (Aus) (So You Think {NZ}) is not out of a dam side that screams staying pedigree, but it was the way she took victory over 1600 metres that could see the daughter of the dual Cox Plate winner finish strongly and play a role in the finish.
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