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The Group 1 New Zealand Oaks headlines another quality raceday at Trentham this Saturday, Match 16th. Won in 2023 by Pennyweka, who subsequently travelled across the ditch to win the ATC Oaks as well, the NZ Derby almost always shapes as a key form race for staying contests here in Australia.
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Check out my selections for every race below in my complete 2024 NZ Oaks Day preview.
RACE 1 - 10:25AM: Jennian Homes Sires Prelude Premier (1200m)
Altari was a smart winner on debut and can continue his rise through the grades at Trentham on Saturday.
The Savabeel colt was sent off a popular pick in betting last month and didn't disappoint, hitting the line well.
With natural improvement, this looks the next logical target.
3 Units Altari
RACE 2 - 10:58AM: New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Special (1400m)
Sindee puts an unbeaten record on the line and looks the one to beat again.
The Ardrossan filly stamped herself as one to watch with an easy two-length triumph on debut at Wanganui, and she franked that performance with another lovely win at her latest.
Fitter third-up, I can't find a reason why she won't be in the finish again.
2 Units Sindee
RACE 3 - 11:33AM: Harrison's Flooring Premier BM75 (1600m)
Lincoln Falls takes winning form into this contest and looks capable of making it two in a row.
The Dundeel gelding has continued to improve with each start recently, culminating in a dominant four-length win at his latest.
This is probably a little harder, but if he holds that form, it's tough to see him far away again.
1 Unit Lincoln Falls
RACE 4 - 12:09PM: NZ St Leger (2600m)
The Underbelly has gone to another level recently and the NZ St Leger looks another perfect race for him.
The Underbelly returned to winning form in BM75 company at Otaki back on Boxing Day and hasn't taken a backwards step, winning each of his three subsequent starts with something in hand.
Having claimed the St Leger Trial by four lengths at his latest, he's primed and ready for Saturday's GF.
4 Units The Underbelly
RACE 5 - 12:52PM: Listed Lincoln Farms Lightning Handicap (1200m)
Mercurial has been a model of consistency this time in and this looks another perfect race for him.
The Stephen Marsh-trained hasn't missed placing at his last five trips to the races, winning the Group 1 Telegraph here at Trentham in January, and returning from a freshen up to fill the minors in the Group 3 King's Plate earlier this month.
He strips fitter for that hit-out and I think he's going to take plenty of beating here, even with topweight in tow.
3 Units Mercurial
RACE 6 - 1:28PM: Group 3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m)
This looks to be one of the more open races on the program and there's a case to be made for a few of the, including Contribute.
Contribute turned in some nice performances in Queensland last year, finding form around some quality metro gallopers, but she has improved since returning to New Zealand and managed to strike in Group 3 company at New Plymouth last month.
She was just over a length behind the winner in the Listed Kaimai Stakes at her latest appearance, but steps out this week in peak order and is drawn to receive every chance.
1 Unit E/W Contribute
RACE 7 - 2:03PM: Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m)
Irish Legacy has only made two appearances at the races since debuting, but she looks to have plenty of ability and can win the Wellington Guineas.
The I Am Invincible filly, out of Group 1 winner Shillelagh recorded a dominant win on debut last month before working home well to fill the minors in Group 3 company at her latest.
Fitter third-up, this looks an ideal black type target for her, and she can deliver the airborne Roger James & Robert Wellwood stable another win.
2 Units Irish Legacy
RACE 8 - 2:40PM: Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m)
It has been won by many fillies on their way to stardom, and we're set for another quality edition of the New Zealand Oaks on Saturday.
Positivity was excellent in Group 3 company last time and is the one for me in the 2024 New Zealand Oaks.
The Andrew Forsman-trained filly didn't enjoy the best of luck in the Group 2 Fillies Classic at Te Rapa last month but bounced back into winning form in the Sunline Vase at her latest.
She's hard fit and drawn ideally, and she's another whom we can have something on each way at current odds ($7 at publish).
1 Unit E/W Positivity
RACE 9 - 3:12PM: Natural Lightning And Ventilation Welly Premier BM65 (2200m)
Hard race to end the day on and at publish, we're looking at $6 the field.
Zackery has improved with each run recently, culminating in a smart win in maiden company at his latest.
He's in peak order and with something like this the next logical target, he looks a genuine each way chance.
0.5 Units E/W Zackery
