Last week’s Adrian Knox Stakes upset winner Diamond Made is at long odds again to win the Group 1 $1m James Boag’s Premium Australian Oaks (2400m) on day two of ‘The Championships’ at Randwick on Saturday.
Diamond Made will start as one of the outsiders of the field again in the Australian Oaks at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Diamond Made turned around a thirty-one lengths last of fourteen in a 2000m Kembla Grange Maiden on March 19 to beat a smart field of fillies in the Group 3 $200,000 TAB Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) at Randwick last Saturday as one of the outsiders of the field at $41.
In Australian Oaks betting at Ladbrokes.com.au Diamond Made is marked as s $31 chance after opening at $41 when the final field was released on Tuesday.
Adrian Knox Stakes winning jockey Glyn Schofield was able to settle Diamond Made midfield before unleashing a winning burst in the straight and trainer Bruce Cross said that the secret to her chances in the Australian Oaks is to get her to settle again during the run.
“All we are concerned about is whether she gets over-racing,’’ Cross told The Daily Telegraph.
“But I think that is the key for all of them as only a couple of the Oaks runners have been out to this distance before.”
“Glyn Schofield is confident he can get Diamond Made to switch off and relax and if he can do that then I have no doubt she will run the trip.”
Even though Diamond Made was sent out at long odds in the Adrian Knox Stakes, Cross said that he had always had a high opinion of the Duke Of Marmalade filly and was expecting her to be competitive.
“We have always had a good opinion of her and we went there believing she would run well. It was nice we had a bit of good luck last week,’’ Cross said.
Cross has reported that Diamond Made has recovered well from the run last Saturday and is ready to back up this week in the Australian Oaks.
“She has come through that race so well I had to give her a bit of work on the track (Wednesday morning). It’s all systems go for the Oaks,’’ Cross said.
Crown Oaks winner Jameka is on top of the Australian Oaks market order at $3.60 and is backing up in a week after running second to Kiwi three year old Tavago in the Group 1 $2m BMW Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick last Saturday.
On the second line of betting is Vinery Stud Stakes third placegetter Happy Hannah at $4.80 ahead of the three New Zealand fillies Valley Girl and Sofia Rosa at $8.50 and Capella at $9.
Australian Oaks market Order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.60 Jameka, $4.80 Happy Hannah, $8.50 Sofia Rosa, Valley Girl, $9 Capella, $11 Honesta, $14 Single Gaze, $21 Sacred Eye, $31 Alaskan Rose, Diamond Made, Chabaud, $34 Self Esteem, $41 Ambience, $61 Believe, $101 Zasorceress, Aurora’s Star.
