BLOGS

Track – Currently rated Good 4

Rail – Normal

Race 1: BM 82 Handicap 1400m

We kick off the with a race over the 1400m. Blue Morpho is the current favourite at $2.35. Daktari can lead with Rosstart and Blue Morpho handy.

Blake Says: Blue Morpho is racing well this prep, looks to find a very winnable race here, was an impressive winner at her only start here at Oakbank. With a positive ride, she should be able to land OSL and prove very hard to run down.

Lachlan Says: GOING GAGA looks well placed here 2nd up and a nice price. Sticking with a horse that has Oakbank form as it's a tricky track to asses horses form without runs here. Michael Hickmott has a good record here and the Gelding has drawn well. BLUE MORPHO is the obvious but find it hard to back short priced favourites at Oakbank.

Race 3: Country Cup 1900m

Country Cup over the 1900m and it’s a wide open market with Lostarc the current $4.60 favourite. Table Of Wisdom and Lostarc look the main speed engaged.

Blake Says: A race of little interest. Thought Lieder could run a race at the each way odds. Suited rising in distance, will settle back but there looks a bit of pressure up front here, has experience at the unique Oakbank track unlike many of his rivals.

Lachlan Says: NASEEB is ultra consistent and a talent and is probably worth putting a line through the effort. Stepping up to the distance for the first time but Tourneur has ridden the track a million times and navigates these races well. It's a very even race and the market proves that.

Race 4: Sabois F&M BM 70 Handicap 1400m

Another wide open market here over the 1400m with In Heart’s Wake the current favourite at $4.60. Putting On Airs looks to get control on the speed.

Blake Says: Tricky race. Putting On Airs was much too good for them first up, this is much tougher but looks to get complete control on the speed, experience at track a positive. Can run well but not a race I’m keen to get involved in.

Lachlan Says: Absolutely no clue this race. Form lines from all over the place. Jarrod McLean's NORTHERN RIVER is 3/3 at the trip. MOLLY THE SNIP has form around the track and can surprise and BUNGALALLY BELLE is racing well and catching the eye. In astute yard. No confident pushes. Moving on.

Race 6: CG&E BM 70 Handicap 1400m

We race over the 1400m once again here and Winning Partner for the Tony McEvoy yard is the current $2.70 favourite. Looks some early pressure here with Valliano, Aussie Jack and Fulton Street all a chance to be pushing forward from wide barriers.

Blake Says: Galaxy Gazer was good last start here at Oakbank when caught wide in running and was strong late. Looks set to peak here 3rd up, should be able to find a spot midfield off the fence and by this time of the day they might be getting out wide in the straight. Winning Partner looks a risk at the price, map looks very tricky.

Lachlan Says: I have ENKI in this race. To be honest, I'm thinking he can run well at odds. Last start was a disaster when he couldn't get in on the track and knocked up. He's drawn poorly here but Oakbank gives you plenty of time to find cover. Nothing really phases him as he will try his guts out regardless of conditions so the steep and bending Oakbank track shouldn't hold him any issues. He’s 3/3 at Strathalbyn and that horse has it's hilly terrain. Worth a bet at the price.

Race 7: Sabois + Oakbank Cup 2150m

Oakbank Cup over the 2150m and Prize Catch is the current $4 favourite. Doesn’t look a whole lot of pressure with Temps Voleur and Embley the main speed engaged.

Blake Says: Don’t like to get involved in these staying races and that doesn’t change here. Moving onto the next race.

Lachlan Says: Sticking with a horse that's trained on the track. MELI MELO. Hit the line hard last time out for eye-catching 4th at odds. Is 2/2 at the trip and will know how to get around the circuit. Early betting speculation gives me some quiet confidence.

Race 8: Oakbank Stakes 1100m

Feature race of the day over the 1100m and impressive first up winner Despatch is the current $2.50 favourite. There looks strong pressure here with Domination, Oamaru Owl, Go The Journey, Equal Love and Crown Fontein all looking to be prominent.

Blake Says: Good race. They could fly here. Despatch was a strong winner first up, if he can find a position from the awkward gate, he’s the one to beat. Steel Frost looks to get a lovely run just off the expected strong speed and can prove hard to hold out late. Kabini returns to the home track and maps to get a nice run just off the speed, barrier one might not be ideal this time of the day but can run well at odds.

Lachlan Says: Good race. HEART OF A LION is 2/2 here and loved the Moonee Valley effort last time out. DESPATCH is the obvious and should really give these a lesson but you never know what can happen at Oakbank. Roughies like TOLSTOY and DOMINATION can also surprise. DOMINATION is trained by G. Young so they will be rock hard fit for the hill climb. Will give a great sight. A large bet on DESPATCH and a nibble on the three rough chances mentioned.

Race 9: BM 75 Handicap 1100m

We end the day with a race over the 1100m. Parsifal heads an open market as the current $4 favourite. Just Kappy and Pamela Joy can work across from wide barriers to be prominent early.

Blake Says: Looks a tricky race to end the day. Midnight Storm looks ready to do something 3rd up, needs luck with his racing pattern but should be able to find a position midfield off the fence here and can be hitting the line strongly late.

Lachlan Says: MIDNIGHT STORM ran well enough behind my boy GYTRASH on Saturday. Looks ready to peak 3rd up. That form surely looks strong enough for this. Each-way all day.

Blakes Overview

Best – R1 #2 Blue Morpho

Best Each Way – R6 #11 Galaxy Gazer

Lachlan’s Overview

Best – R1 #9 Going Gaga

Best Each Way – R9 #7 Midnight Storm

Best Roughie – R7 #8 Meli Melo