Artistic Lass is currently available at 2014 Australasian Oaks odds of $26 and she has been the biggest drifter in betting after she drew the outside barrier for the Group 1 event at Morphettville this weekend.
Jason Holder will partner Artistic Lass in the 2014 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville on Saturday. Photo by: Jenny Barnes
The Myboycharlie filly will be making her debut for Leon Macdonald in the Australasian Oaks, after being prepared by David Payne in New South Wales, and is taking reasonable form into the race after finishing second in the Drummond Golf Handicap (1800m) and a respectable ninth in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on April 5.
Macdonald told Racing Ahead this morning that he was very disappointed when Artistic Lass drew barrier 18 in the Australasian Oaks barrier draw and does not believe she is a chance of scoring her maiden Group 1 win on Saturday.
“It makes it very difficult for her,” Macdonald said.
“She is probably a go back filly that will run on, but I think a couple of the Melbourne fillies have good form in this race.
“If she had drawn a good gate she may have been some chance, but from where she is drawn it makes it pretty hard.”
While Macdonald is not particularly bullish about the chances of Artistic Lass in the 2014 Australasian Oaks, he has been happy with the way that the three-year-old has settled into his stable and has been impressed with her trackwork in recent days.
Artistic Lass has already had a lengthy preparation, but Macdonald revealed that he is likely to run the filly in the Group 3 South Australian Fillies Classic (2500m) at Morphettville on May 10.
“She has been really good,” Macdonald said.
“She is a quiet little mare, she doesn’t do too much wrong, and her work has been pretty sound.
“We will see what we can do and she may even be better suited by the longer oaks in a fortnight.”
The 2014 Australasian Oaks betting market is currently a battle between two fillies; with Robbie Griffiths-trained Girl In Flight ($4) and Thousand Guineas runner-up May’s Dream ($4.20) the two standouts in the Group 1 event.
Artistic Lass is currently available at Australasian Oaks odds of $26 and has received little support in betting, while there has been a sprinkling of support for Michael Kent-trained Scratchy Bottom ($6.50), Peter Moody-trained In Masquerade ($10) and Cranbourne-based Navajo Run ($21).
