South Australian Racecaller Terry McAuliffe has Fontein Ruby on top of his 2015 Australasian Oaks tips and he believes the gritty filly will prove tough to beat in the Group 1 event at Morphettville tomorrow.
Fontein Ruby is the horse to beat in the 2015 Australasian Oaks in Adelaide tomorrow. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell
Fontein Ruby produced the worst performance of her racing career to date when she finished at the tail of the field in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 7, but she returned to her best form to take out the Listed Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on March 27 and the Gold Reef (1600m) at Caulfield on April 18.
McAuliffe believes that Fontein Ruby will get a lovely run into the Australasian Oaks from her inside barrier and he told RSN that he is happy to back her at her current odds of $3.80.
“I am going to go with the favourite Fontein Ruby,” McAuliffe said.
“She comes here in great form having won the past two at Moonee Valley and Caulfield.
“She makes her own luck and she has the perfect gate.
“Zahra can do what he pleases, whether he wants to take her to the front like he has her past two starts and we know she is going to be right there in the thick of things from the word go.”
Fenway and Delicacy have both been slight drifters in 2015 Australasian Oaks betting markets, but McAuliffe believes that the two fillies are the major dangers to Fontein Ruby in the Group 1 event.
Delicacy is taking exceptional form into the Australasian Oaks after recording impressive wins in both the Western Australian Oaks (2400m) and WATC Derby (2400m) and McAuliffe rates her a talented filly, while he respects Fenway, but is concerned that she has not had a race start since the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 28.
“Fenway is not going to be far way, but the question mark is the fact that she has had three weeks between runs,” McAuliffe said.
“She is a good filly and she has always raced in the best of company.
“Delicacy is an interesting one, she beat up the boys last time in the Derby and she has won eight from 12.
“She has taken all before her over there and she is obviously a very good filly.”
Fontein Ruby ($3.60) remains a clear favourite in the 2015 Australasian Oaks betting market with Ladbrokes from Fenway ($4.60), Delicacy ($8), Wine Tales ($9) and the clear market mover Ungrateful Ellen ($9).
