Can Royal Descent Steal 2013 Australian Oaks Crown?

April 19, 2013

Can Royal Descent Steal 2013 Australian Oaks Crown?

While most of the pre-Australian Oaks 2013 talk is on New Zealand Derby winner and deserving favourite Habibi the second line of betting is occupied by another genuine chance in Royal Descent who will be looking to score an upset on a nice win at the track seven days earlier.

Royal Descent

Royal Descent is a decent chance to take out the 2013 ATC Oaks on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart.

Chris Waller’s Redoute’s Choice three-year-old is one of 11 fillies engaged in this Saturday’s $550,000 Group 1 Patinack Farm Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick, Royal Descent second pick in the bookmaker.com.au markets at a quote of $5.

She trails only Kiwi raider Habibi ($3) who ran a good third in her debut down under behind Norzita, who takes on crack colt Pierro in Saturday’s $2 million Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m), in the Vinery Stud Stakes on April 6.

Royal Descent meanwhile ran at Randwick last weekend and showed nice improvement to score a breezy 2.5 length victory in the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) when carrying a hefty 59kg, an effor Waller was happy if not a little surprised by.

“I was dreading the race last Saturday because I thought it might have been a bit beyond her,” Waller said.

She goes back to 56kg for the ATC Oaks under the set weights conditions and while she’s drawn a tad awkward with barrier nine, is still a genuine chance of stepping up in her maiden elite level assignment.

“It’s a Group 1 race and the horse is good enough to be in the first three,” Waller said.

“She was set for the Vinery Stud Stakes but it was too wet to run her.

“Last Saturday was basically the next option without going to the paddock.

“This is her first preparation. She went to the paddock for one week but she has basically been in all the time.”

A win by Royal Descent over Habibi on Saturday would also come as a relief for Waller who tried to purchase the exciting Kiwi late last year.

“We tried to buy Habibi after it won its first two starts,” Waller said.

“I thought we were a bit soft with our three-year-olds but as it turns out I’m going to have two in the race anyway.”

His other is $51 roughie Wind Bender.

#4 Royal Descent – Horse Form

  • Barrier: 9
  • Jockey: Nash Rawiller
  • Trainer: Chris Waller
  • Owners: Mr G Harvey
  • Age: 3YO
  • Gender: Filly
  • Breeding: by Redoute’s Choice by Mulan Princess
  • Career: 6-3-1-1
  • Win: 50%
  • Place: 83.33%
  • Last 6: 113421
  • Prize Money: $224,530
  • Track: 1-1-0-0
  • Distance: 0-0-0-0
  • Current 2013 Australian Oaks Odds: $5

Why Royal Descent Can Score an Upset 2013 Australian Oaks Result

  • Is a nicely-bred filly whose pedigree suggests she will run out a strong 2400m
  • One of only two last start winners in the race having won the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes at the track over 2000m last weekend
  • Needs to handle the 7 day back-up, the 2400m and the Group 1 field but class says she can
  • Progressive filly that is improving with each run
  • Set weights (56kg) will suit after she carried 59kg to victory last weekend where the runner-up had just 54kg
  • The Adrian Knox Stakes has proven a nice form line for the Oaks in recent years with two fillies completing the double in the past 10 years with Republic Lass (2002) and Wild Iris (2004)
  • Super consistent record so far with the second best Win (50%) and Place (83.33%) rates behind only the favourite #2 Habibi

Why Royal Descent Won’t Win the Australian Oaks 2013

  • Is yet to race over further than 2000m
  • Faces two smart New Zealand Group 1 winners that have won over the distance (#2 Habibi and #$5 More Than Sacred)
    First Group 1 assignment
  • On a short seven day back-up so could be getting tired

Think Royal Descent has what it takes to win the Australian Oaks on the weekend?

Get behind her or any of her smart rivals at the guaranteed best price online now at bookmaker.com.au where you can also Pick Your Own Odds for all the Randwick races thanks to their exclusive Aussie-first markets!

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapat...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: L...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse extended her record to eight victories in the 2024...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winne...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Veight joined an elite list of three-year-olds to beat home the older horses...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results:...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Chris Waller’s VRC Derby winner from the spring, Riff Rocket, now has the...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Vi...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Via Sistina Too Good Debuting for Waller

Yu Long Investments lucrative European purchase, the now Chris Waller-trained...

Race Results

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapateo Upsets Sunshine In Paris

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Imperatriz Defends Title in 2024 William Reid Stakes

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Race Previews

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off

Fields & Form

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off