FOUR RUNNERS FOR US ON OAKS DAY

A busy Oaks day at home for us with four runners including two in the feature race.

Yatton and Star Of Eden both take their place in race eight, the VRC Oaks over 2500m with Cup winning jockey Jye McNeil aboard Yatton and Billy Egan on Star Of Eden.

The Oaks has been the aim for Yatton since she commenced this preparation and while she is yet to win a race, Mike Moroney is convinced the daughter of Savabeel deserves her place in the race.

“She’s had this race as her aim since she came into the stable and I don’t see any reason not to let her take her chance,” Moroney.

“She’s only lightly-raced and has raced well each time - her last start failure was my fault for adding blinkers but we’ve taken them off for today.

“She’s trained up well and my only little concern is a soft track - she’s a filly that is better on top of the ground but I’d say there is a chance for the track to improve with no more rain forecast and plenty of wind.

“She’s bred to get the trip and has drawn ideally in barrier four to get the right sort of run and it would be great to get her into the placings.”

Star Of Eden has drawn barrier two which is a positive for the daughter of Wandjina.

“It’s great to see her in the race as it has been her aim,” Moroney said. “Today is her grand final, she’s got a stout female family and is fit as we can get her.

“She’s in the race with a chance if she can stay the trip, a repeat of her last start in the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes gives her a chance, if the track is still soft by the time the race comes around it will not worry her.”

Pineapple Girl (pictured) runs in race one, the benchmark 70 handicap over 1700m with Daniel Stackhouse riding from barrier eight.

“She’s had a freshen up and come along nicely with a change of scenery and some dressage work,” Moroney said.

“She looks really well and her last piece of work was pleasing. It’s a handy field which you would expect for this time of year but provided she has that residual fitness if she can produce her best form then she’s definitely a chance.”

Hang Man runs in race four, the benchmark 90 handicap over 1800m, drawn barrier one with Jamie Kah to ride.

“He’s got topweight in a no-claim race so we’re lucky to get Jamie Kah who is riding in great form,” Moroney said.

“The ease in the track will certainly suit him and if he is anywhere near his best I’d expect him to be hard to beat, even with the weight.

“He looks super, his last piece of work was excellent and I’m expecting a better run today as we head towards the Ballarat Cup.”