Australasian Oaks

Winners and Past Results for the Australasian Oaks.

The Australasian Oaks is one of the most hotly contested Group 1 races for fillies held at the Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide.

The race is run under set weight conditions over a distance of 2000 meters.

Each year quality gallopers compete for prize money worth $500,000 in a race that brings out the best middle distance stayers during the autumn racing carnival.

The Australasian Oaks is hosted by the South Australian Jockey Club and held on the same day as the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes and the Group 3 The Jansz.

The cream of fillies are given a chance to prove their mettle under set weight conditions. The Australasian Oaks is the perfect lead up to the Group 1 SA Derby and Group 3 SA Oaks that attracts a local field as well. Among the notable winners to move on and win the Group 1 SA Derby later during the carnival is Zarita, the 2008 Australasian Oaks champion. She beat the best of colts and geldings at the SA derby and was the last filly good enough to score an Australasian Oaks/SA Derby double. The race attracts runners who have tasted success during the Melbourne or Sydney autumn racing carnival.

The first Australasian Oaks was held in 1982 as a Group 3 race. It was won by Rose of Kingston who went on to become the Australian Horse of the Year and finished her racing career with ten wins including three Group 1 races that included the Australian Derby. She was also the Australasian Champion Three-Year-Old Filly and Australasian Champion Older Mare in 1982 and later was a successful broodmare.

Other notable winners include Miss Clipper in 1986, Mannerism in 1991, La Volta in 1998, Tully Thunder in 2002, Anamato in 2007, and Gallica in 2009, and Small Minds in 2010.

The Oaks was upgraded to Group 1 in its second year in 1983.

The Group 2 Moonee Valley Oaks held at Moonee Valley Racecourse is the perfect form guide for punters, which attracts many runners for the Australasian Oaks. The 2011 champion, Lights of Heaven won the Moonee Valley Oaks prior to producing an outstanding run in the Oaks, finishing well clear of Absolutely and Southern Speed.

The Australasian Oaks remains one of the popular betting doubles along with the SA Oaks, with great returns awaiting punters that pick the winning fillies. The winners ought to be watched closely since it is known to produce many Caulfield Cup winners in the past.