A capacity field has been declared for the Group One Australasian Oaks while a field of 15 is set to contest the Group One TAB Classic for fillies and mares.
The Australasian Oaks (2000m) and TAB Classic (1200m), registered as the Robert Sangster Stakes, headline Saturday’s program at Morphettville.
The Hawkes Racing-trained Amangiri, a luckless runner in the Frank Packer Plate in Sydney last start, has firmed to $4 Oaks favourite on Tuesday and has barrier two in the field of 16 plus four emergencies.
The filly will begin from the inside barrier should third emergency Havana Heat not gain a start.
Starting alongside Amangiri will be Princess Jenni who was out to $4.40 from $4 on Tuesday and has drawn barrier three.
Princess Jenni has won her past two starts in Melbourne.
VRC Oaks winner Aristia, who was unplaced in the Australian Oaks in Sydney at her most recent start, has drawn barrier six with Dwayne Dunn taking over from the filly’s regular jockey Damian Lane who has begun a riding stint in Japan in successful fashion with a handful of winners at the weekend.
After Tony McEvoy’s decision on Monday not to run star filly Sunlight in Saturday’s TAB Classic, the Garry Frazer-trained mare Spright has assumed favouritism and has drawn the widest barrier.
The McEvoy-trained Cool Passion has barrier four and shares the second line of betting at $6 with the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained filly Thrillster who has barrier 11.
Trainer Mick Price, who has won the race with Bel Mer (2009) and Secret Agenda (2017) has accepted with Princess Of Queens and Anjana.