See the 2024 Australasian Oaks Preview and results.

See the 2023 Australasian Oaks Preview and results.

See the 2022 Australasian Oaks Preview and results.

See the 2021 Australasian Oaks Preview and results.

The Australasian Oaks is a relatively new race on the Australian racing calendar. It was first held in 1982 when Rose Of Kingston claimed victory. Later on she produced a foal called Kingston Rule who became a Melbourne Cup winner. It was a Group 3 race in its first year but became a Group 1 race in 1983.

The Group 3 Auraria Schweppervescence Stakes over 1800 metres is often used as a lead-up race to the Australasian Oaks. Fillies with true staying power will go on to contest the Group 3 SA Oaks over 2400 metres a couple of weeks later. These three races form the fillies Triple Crown in Adelaide. The only filly to win all three races was Episode in 1999.

Fastest time (2000m): Anamato (2007), Gatherneaux (1992), Mannerism (1991)  2:02:2

Interesting trivia:

Two Australasian Oaks winners have gone on to win the Caulfield Cup. Imposera won them both in 1988 while Mannerism won the Oaks in 1991 and the Caulfield Cup in 1992. Although no filly has gone on to win the Melbourne Cup, 2001 winner Tempest Morn finished second in the Queensland Oaks to Ethereal who won the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double the following season.

Tough staying horses win this event. 2008 winner Zarita went on to beat her male rivals in the South Australian Derby over 2500 metres at the same carnival, while 2007 winner Anamato travelled to North America and ran third in the Group 1 American Oaks over 2000 metres. Centaurea was ridden to a win in 1985 by legendary English jockey Lester Piggott, while Miss Clipper in 1986 gave trainer Lee Freedman his first Group 1 win.

From the archives:

Australasian Oaks Preview & Tips 2020

Track: Heavy   Weather: Overcast

There is a full field of 16 runners plus 4 emergencies for the $400,000 Schweppes Australasian Oaks. Seven plus one emergency had their last start in the Schweppervescence Stakes over 1800m, two and one emergency in the VOBIS Sires Guineas over 1600m and two in the Group 1 Australian Oaks over 2400m. The betting is fairly open and the early favourite is Affair To Remember who was badly held up before running on strongly for 3rd in the VOBIS Sires and looks as if the extra ground will suit. Second favourite is Toffee Tongue who ran 2nd in the Australian Oaks and can handle rain-affected ground. Third favourite is Vegas Jewel who ran well in the Spring and can improve on her last-start 12th in the Scweppervescence Stakes.

Betcha Flying was strong winning over 1700m at Flemington last start after 4th in the G3 Adrian Knox. Silent Sovereign won the Schweppervescence Stakes last start beating many of her rivals here. Nudge had the best 800m-200m sectional when 4th in the Australian Oaks last outing. Moonlight Maid was 1.2 lengths 5th in the VOBIS Sires Guineas and looks a real stayer, while Sierra Sue has had 4 starts for 3 wins and a second place. All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer including Walking Flying who flew home from well back for 3rd in the Schweppervescence. First emergency November Dreaming is an early scratching and 4th emergency Miss Harriette scratched Friday morning.

Australasian Oaks Runner by Runner 2020

1. Fascino

This filly has had 2 tries at this distance for 7 lengths 8th in the Vinery Stud Stakes then she was eased down in the straight and failed to finish in the G3 Adrain Knox Stakes when the jockey was concerned about her action. She has drawn wide.

2. Nudge

One of three runners for Chris Waller (the others are Betcha Flying and Toffee Tongue) this filly looks a genuine contender here. She was 3rd in the Vinery Stud Stakes over 2000m where she had the best 600-200m race sectional of the day at the distance, then was 4th in the G1 Australian Oaks on a heavy track where she had the best 800m-200m race sectional. Expect to see her in the finish.

3. Moonlight Maid

She ran 3rd in the G1 Kennedy Oaks over 2500m in the Spring, so she will have no trouble with the distance. At her latest start she was chasing strong through the finish for 1.2 lengths 5th in the VOBIS Sires Guineas over 1600m. One for the multiples.

4. Asiago

She won the G3 Kembla Grange Classic but then never looked likely when 6.2 lengths 6th in the Vinery Stud Stakes, then 4.6 lengths 7th in the G3 Schweppervescence Stakes. She hasn’t won beyond 1600m and has drawn barrier 17 so is not for me.

5. Vegas Jewel

In the Spring she was placed twice at this distance – 2nd in the G3 Ethereal Stakes then 2nd in the G2 Wakeful Stakes. She has failed at both runs this preparation and would need to improve a lot on those starts to figure in the finish.

6. La Falaise

At her last four starts her best performance was a last-start 8th in the Schweppervescence Stakes. Hasn’t showed much this time in and won’t be in the finish here.

7. Betcha Flying

This filly hasn’t raced at Group 1 or 2 level before but it wouldn’t surprise me too much if she ran a place here, The distance shouldn’t bother her as she ran on from well back for 4th in the Adrian Knox Stakes at this distance, then she won a Super VOBIS 3YO handicap over 1700m last start where she was getting away from them at the end. One for the multiples.

8. Wings Of Pastrami

Her career record is 4 wins and 3 places from 8 starts so she is very honest. At her first start beyond 1400m she ran a close 2nd in the Listed Laelia Stakes over 1600m on 4 April, then jumped awkwardly and had to work hard for 4th in the G3 Schweppervescence Stakes. This is her toughest test ans she will go well but I don’t expect her top be in the first four home.

9. Toffee Tongue

The only runner not not have a won a race previously, after 8 starts this filly is still a maiden but has been the runner-up at her last 4 starts. She was 2nd in the G3 Adrian Knox Stakes then 2nd in the G1 Australian Oaks where she finished three lengths ahead of the 3rd horse. Her breeding suggest she will be a stayer and although it seems crazy to pick a maiden horse in a Group 1 race, she is my top pick to win.

10. Silent Sovereign

She began this campaign with 1.3 lengths 4th in the Laelia Stakes, then won the G3 Schweppervescence Stakes second-up. On the basis of recent form she has to be counted as one of the chances here.

11. Selica

Last start she was run down late to finish 2nd in the Schweppervescence Stakes and the start before she never really got clear when 9th in the Port Adelaide Guineas. She may tire over the last 200m.

12. Beauty Bolt

In the Spring she ran 4th in the G1 Kennedy Oaks over 2500m, so can handle this distance. She resumed for a win at Sandown Hillside, then came from well back to make steady ground and was doing her best work late when 4.9 lengths 8th over 1400m at Caulfield, Is capable of placing and is at good each-way odds.

13. Sierra Sue

She has only had 3 starts for 3 wins (all at Sale) and a second (at Sandown Lakeside). She has never raced in a Group or Listed race before but at her last-start she lead all the way for a very easy 2.5 length win over 1732m at Sale on a soft track. She has drawn the outside barrier but will cross early and try to lead. I think she can be in the finish.

14. Affair To Remember

The favourite in the early betting markets. She followed a win over 1600m at Sandown Lakeside with 3rd in the VOBIS Sires Guineas over 1600m at Caulfield where she was held up from the 450m to 350m and ran on very strongly when she got clear.

15. Zayydani

This staying-bred filly has had 4 starts for 2 wins and a place. At her latest start she ran on strongly for 2nd over 1600m at Sandown Lakeside. This is a massive rise in class..

16. Walking Flying

I was impressed with how this girl came from about 12th on the turn with a massive run to grab 3rd in the Schweppervescence Stakes last outing. She looks as if she will get better with distance and despite the odds of over 40 to 1 I think she is a serious contender.

17. November Dreaming – 1st Emergency.  SCRATCHED

18. Don’ttelltheboss – 2nd Emergency

Her only win in 11 starts is a maiden plate at Moe. She has drawn barrier 19 and will struggle in this grade.

19. Realm Of Flowers – 3rd Emergency

She came from almost last to grab 3rd in the Laelia Stakes and worked home strongly from the back of the field for 3.9 lengths 6th in the Schweppervescence Stakes. She is a filly who looks as if she will improve over longer distances.

20. Miss Harriette – 4th Emergency  SCRATCHED 7.32am May 1st

The rank ousider of the field, this filly has had 14 starts already and comes off a length win in a benchmark 58 at Wangaratta over 2000m. This is a massive rise in class and I don’t expect her to be in the finish.

The following are the top 4 selections from our tipster panel for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
9 Toffee Tongue
2 Nudge
13 Sierra Sue
16 Walking Flying