Crown Oaks

Winners and Past Results. See VRC Oaks 

One of the premier staying races for three year old fillies hosted by Victoria Racing Club during the Melbourne spring racing carnival is the Crown Oaks, held on the first Thursday in November. Free $250 Bet from Luxbet

The 2500 metre race is worth $1 million in prize money and is held on the third of the four-day racing carnival at Flemington Racecourse in November, two days after the Melbourne Cup. The race is the female equivalent of the 2500 M Victoria Derby for colts and geldings. Better performing fillies have a distinct advantage as they tack to the track under set weights conditions. While there is action for the fillies on the track, there is also plenty of high fashion off the track, on what is considered ‘Ladies Day', the most glamorous of meetings during the carnival.

Punters ought to keep a close eye on runners from the 2000 M Group 1 Wakeful Stakes held on Derby Day at the same track. There has been a host of winners and top placegetters in both the events along with a number of holders of the Wakeful Stakes & Crown Oaks double. Hollow Bullet and Serenade Rose achieved the feat in 2004 and 2005 respectively while Faint Perfume did it in 2009 and Brazilian Pulse also pleased her connections with a double in 2010. Runners up, Timbourina in 2003 and Tuesday Joy in 2006 also won the Wakeful Stakes prior to running here.

Among the classiest fillies to win the Crown Oaks is Samantha Miss in 2008, who won the Princess Series prior to winning here. Magical Miss was successful in 2001 while Special Harmony and Miss Finland added the Crown Oaks to their kitty in 2003 and 2006 respectively.

The Crown Oaks is one of the oldest races hosted by the Victoria Racing Club. It began as a principal race in 1861 and has enjoyed Group 1 status since 1979. Rose Of Kingston in 1981, Research in 1988, Spirit Of Kingston in 1994, and Kensington Palace in 1997 are also among the successful gallopers to add to the Crown Oaks winners' list.

The Crown Oaks was first run in 1861 and despite being held on a work day, Crown Oaks Day has become one of the more popular crowd events on the Australian Horse Racing Calendar.

2011 Crown Oaks

There were question marks over Mosheen's ability to handle the 2500 metres but a confident Danny Nikolic took her straight to the front and that's where she stayed. The filly's cause was helped by a lack of pace during the race so by the time she hit the front straight she had plenty in reserve and was able to run away for an incredibly easy win, nearly 10 lengths clear of Dowager Queen with Roma Giaconda in third.

2011 Crown Oaks result

1. Mosheen
2. Dowager Queen
3. Roma Giaconda

Then came:

4. Vittoria
5. Gioe
6. Pentimento
7. Gliding
8. Rahveel
9. Fallen One
10. Lady Jouster
11. Flame Of Lanka