Horse Racing

Mark Kavanagh’s undefeated filly, and striking last-start winner of the Thousand Guineas, Atlantic Jewel is the odds-on favourite to take out the 2011 Crown Oaks at Flemington next month after first declarations for the Melbourne Cup Carnival classic were taken by Racing Victoria today.

At nomination stage on September 20 there were 69 three-year-old fillies entered for the $1 million Group 1 VRC Crown Oaks (2500m), to run on Thursday November 3 two days after the iconic 2011 Melbourne Cup, that number cut to 20 with first acceptances today.

Atlantic Jewel is the top line entry among the 2011 Crown Oaks first acceptances

After taking her career record to four wins from as many starts on October 12 with a mighty three length romp in the Thousand Guineas, Fastnet Rock filly Atlantic Jewel was considered for a shot a Cox Plate glory this Saturday.

Taking the advice of trainer Kavanagh, however, connections decided to bypass the Cox Plate with Atlantic Jewel and continue on this spring with the grand final target of the Crown Oaks 2011.

Having been confirmed as racing next-up in the $300,000 Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day before racing in the Crown Oaks, Atlantic Jewel dominates the Crown Oaks odds at Luxbet at a short quote of $1.90.

Kavanagh also chose to pay up for two of Atlantic Jewel’s stablemates in the Crown Oaks first declarations with Makybe Diva’s daughter La Dolce Diva and Encosta De Lago three-year-old Quench The Thirst.

The duo are paying $201 and $31 respectively in the updated Crown Oaks markets at Luxbet.

Three other 2011 Crown Oaks first acceptors are at single-figure odds:

• Dowager Queen ($4.60 Luxbet) – Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained Kiwi raider ran an unlucky second to Gliding in the Listed Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield last Saturday, before which she ran third in the Group 1 Flight Stakes over the Randwick mile

• Mosheen ($8 Luxbet) – Robert Smerdon’s Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes winner battled on bravely to run second to Atlantic Jewel, albeit beaten three lengths, in the Thousand Guineas

• Gliding ($9 Luxbet) – One of two remaining Crown Oaks hopes for Bart Cummings (along with $61 long-shot Shuswap) who is out for his 10^th win in the classic this year, a gun ride saw them defeat a field of fellow Crown Oaks-bound fillies including Dowager Queen in the Etheral Stakes last-start and will only improve with more distance

Other notable Crown Oaks hopes that remain in contention this year include the Michael Kent-trained Ethereal Stakes fourth placegetter Vittoria ($16), Leon Corstens’ Thousand Guineas fifth placegetter Rahveel ($18) who being by Zabeel is bred for longer distances, David Hayes’ Magic Albert filly Roma Giaconda ($21) who has been outclassed in her recent runs and Sharnee Rose ($21) last seen running a brave third in the Thousand Guineas.

The 2011 Crown Oaks final field of acceptors is due to be taken and released on October 31.

Stay tuned to Races.com.au for all the latest Crown Oaks field and betting updates, and in the meantime get your early selections at the best prices through Luxbet.

Luxbet are the leaders in online betting and have a $500 bonus bet on offer to new depositing customers that enter the codeword BONUSBET when signing up with spring.

2011 Crown Oaks First Declarations, Ballot & Weights