Horse Racing

A full 16-horse field plus one emergency has been announced to contest the Group 1 2013 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphetville on Saturday.

Alzora is one of two David Hayes-trained runners in the Australasian Oaks field. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.

Otherwise known as the Schweppes Oaks, heading the group of three-year-old staying fillies in the $400,000 race is in-form galloper Global Balance from the stable of experienced Victorian trainer David Hayes.

A winner of three of six starts, the Redoute’s Choice filly will be chasing a third consecutive victory this weekend.

She won the Tasmanian Oaks in February before further extending her Oaks claims with a win in the Group 3 Schweppervesence at Morphetville on April 13.

But it won’t be easy to record her third consecutive win. Not only will Global Balance have to overcome a strong field she will also have to hope for some luck from a barrier 16 draw.

Global Balance is one of two Hayes-trained runners in the field, joined by dual black-type winner Alzora.

Also drawing poorly is Maybe Discreet (15) who will be out to exact revenge on Global Balance after going under by a head in the Schweppervesence.

Third in the Schweppervesence was Swinging Solider who will be ridden by Troy Baker from barrier two this weekend.

New Zealand trainer Murray Baker has experienced plenty of success in Australia this season with It’s A Dundeel and he will be hoping to pick up a Group 1 in Adelaide on Saturday with Her To Eternity.

But the daughter of Pentire will have to bounce back from a sixth-place finish on Australian debut at Sandown which came on the back of consecutive wins on home soil.

Another New Zealand trainer with an Oaks contender is Stephen McKee who has accepted with New Zealand Oaks runner-up Blanket Bay.

Others in the Australasian Oaks field include local filly Molto Bene, Patinack-owned filly Transonic and Michael Moroney’s Yantar who is chasing a third straight win.

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Australasian Oaks 2013 – Final Field and Barrier Draw