Racing Victoria released the official 2011 Crown Oaks final field and barriers on Monday morning, with the Robert Smerdon-trained Mosheen the highest rated filly in contention.

Mosheen has drawn well in barrier two of 11 for the 2011 Crown Oaks on Thursday

The smart daughter of Fastnet Rock, runner-up in the Golden Slipper as a two-year-old, has been in excellent form this season which included a game second to Atlantic Jewel in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 12.

Last Saturday Mosheen avoided another run against the then Crown Oaks favourite Atlantic Jewel, who won the Wakeful Stakes on Derby Day by an overwhelming seven lengths, with Smerdon starting Mosheen instead in the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) against older rivals.

Well-liked in the Myer Classic markets, Mosheen carried just 49kg but could only manage to finish four and a half lengths away sixth behind upset winner Hurtle Myrtle.

Thursday will be her first look at a distance greater than a mile, so how Mosheen steps up and handles the 2500 metres of the $1 million Group 1 Crown Oaks is very questionable.

Still, she has the right draw for her stamina test having come up with gate two of 11 and will be ridden by Danny Nikolic.

The filly everyone is tipping to open at the top of the updated Crown Oaks odds at Luxbet is the Graeme Rogerson-trained Dowager Queen.

Drawn in barrier eight with Craig Williams engaged, Savabeel three-year-old Dowager Queen finished third to Atlantic Jewel in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) last Saturday and is bred for the Crown Oaks distance making her a very nice selection.

Watch for a jockey change, however, if Williams does not win his appeal against a 10-meeting suspension.

Surprise Wakeful Stakes third placegetter on Derby Day was the Leon Corstens-trained Rahveel.

Although beaten seven lengths by Atlantic Jewel, with the raging favourite out there is sure to be plenty of money rolling in on the daughter of Zabeel to race competitively in the Crown Oaks 2011 as she gets up to her right distance.

Rahveel drew the far outside Crown Oaks gate making her assignment slightly more difficult as she has never jumped from further out than seven.

Another filly that will have their work cut out for them from a wide gate on Thursday is the Bart Cummings-trained Gliding.

Cummings vies for his 10^th Crown Oaks success this year, his first since Faint Perfume in 2009, who jumped from barrier nine to take out the feature two years ago.

Gliding is double digits in barrier 10, the Flying Spur filly having beaten Dowager Queen two starts back in the Listed Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield before her eight lengths away fourth in the Wakeful at Flemington last Saturday.

Other notable fillies in the Crown Oaks 2011 field include the Michael Kent-trained trio of Gioe (barrier nine), Vittoria (barrier four) and Pentimento (barrier seven), and Anthony Cummings’ last-start Bendigo winner Lady Jouster.

Drawn nicely in barrier three, Lady Jouster will be ridden by Dean Yendall on Thursday, the hard-working hoop to get his first ride in the iconic Melbourne Cup on Tuesday aboard The Lexus Stakes winner Niwot ($12 Luxbet).

The 2011 Crown Oaks is scheduled to run as Flemington Race 6 at 3:40pm (AEDST) on Thursday, which is the third day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

For access to the best spring odds, betting options and offers visit our preferred online bookmaker Luxbet today.

Luxbet currently have all the exclusive Melbourne Cup markets ahead of Tuesday’s showdown and a $500 bonus bet awaiting for all first-time depositing players that quote the promo code BONUSBET!

2011 Crown Oaks Field, Barriers & Jockeys

Pinker Pinker is set to take on Brazilian Pulse in the Vinery Stud Stakes on Saturday

Cranbourne-based trainer Greg Eurell is confident his Reset filly Pinker Pinker is ready to peak at Rosehill on Saturday when she takes on Crown Oaks winner Brazilian Pulse in the $400,000 Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Golden Slipper Day.

While Brazilian Pulse is the punters’ favourite to win the Vinery Stud Stakes and add a second elite level victory to her name, Pinker Pinker is in career best form and is a definite chance to claim an upset win despite having drawn wide with barrier 10.

After resuming this season with a first-up third to Miss Gai Flyer in the Listed Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 12, Pinker Pinker went on to win her next two starts in the Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) on Blue Diamond Day and then the Group 3 Schweppervescence Trophy (1600m) on March 12.

Pinker Pinker has shown Eurell plenty of promise and although Saturday’s Vinery Stud Stakes will be the filly’s first start over 2000m and also her Sydney debut, he is sure she is ready for the challenge.

“She leads into this race very, very well and the three weeks between runs has probably been very suitable, especially with the gap from the 1600 metres to the 2000 metres,” Eurell said.

While on paper the wide barrier 10 draw may seem detrimental for Pinker Pinker on Saturday, history suggests it may in fact be an advantage.

Last year’s Vinery Stud Stakes winner Faint Perfume jumped from barrier 10 and Pinker Pinker has proven she can handle a wider gate having won the Angus Armanasco from barrier nine of 10.

Pinker Pinker will set off on her interstate mission on Wednesday night making the trip from Cranbourne to Rosehill.

Other notable fillies in the 2011 Vinery Stud Stakes field include Peter Moody’s smart daughter of Savabeel Do Ra Mi who beat home Brazilian Pulse in the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March 12 and the John O’Shea-trained Sworn To Secrecy who is an outside chance having shown form to finish second behind Blackie in open company in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 19.

Connections chose to retire four-year-old Faint Perfume after she failed to perform up to par at both of her starts this season.

Faint Perfume will become a valuable broadmare as a dual Group 1 winner having won the 2009 Crown Oaks at Flemington’s Melbourne Cup Carnival two years back and then the 2010 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill in April last year.

After her successful autumn campaign last year that also included a second to Once Were Wild in the Group 1 AJC Oaks (2400m), Faint Perfume failed to produce a good run during the spring.

From six spring starts including three Group 1 runs, Faint Perfume could finish no better than sixth, which she ran behind Zipping in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m).

Spelled after Emirate Stakes Day, Faint Perfume resumed in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 12 this season finishing a distant 13^th of 16 runners beaten 10 lengths by the also now-retired mare Typhoon Tracy.

At her final career start Faint Perfume finished second-last in the 13-horse field in the Group 2 St George Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Blue Diamond Stakes Day, February 26.

Faint Perfume’s career record at the time of her retirement stood at five wins, one second and a third from 19 starts for $1,465,290 in prize money.

Cummings had originally nominated Faint Perfume for the $1 million Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m), set to run as one of two elite level features at Flemington’s Super Saturday of Racing, as the legendary trainer vies for his 14^th Australian Cup victory.

Precedence is now Cummings’ sole Australian Cup hopeful, the Zabeel five-year-old coming off a brave second to Heart Of Dreams in the St George Stakes.

Eighth on the Australian Cup order of entry, Precedence is guaranteed a start in the maximum 18-horse Australian Cup field.

Luxbet currently have Precedence as a $7 shot in their Australian Cup odds.

Final acceptances for the 2011 Dubai Australian Cup field are taken tomorrow and will be published first here at Races.com.au.

Australian Cup betting at our preferred online bookmaker Luxbet is lead by $4.80 favourite Heart Of Dreams, the St George Stakes winner narrowly ahead in the odds from $5 second pick and defending Australian Cup champ Zipping.

Odds are sure to shorten following the Australian Cup final field announcement tomorrow morning, so now is the time to back your favourites at their generous early prices at Luxbet!

The $1 million Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) will run at Flemington’s Super Saturday of Racing on March 12.

Heart Of Dreams, one of the favourites for the 2011 Australian Cup, will start in the Group 2 St George Stakes at Caulfield

Early favourites in the Australian Cup odds at Luxbet include Heart Of Dreams ($6.50), Shocking ($7), Linton ($9), Moudre ($9) and Precedence ($13), all running in the 14-horse 2011 St George Stakes field on Saturday.

The Mick Price-trained Heart Of Dreams, however, has suffered a blow drawing the far outside barrier 14 in the St George Stakes.

The Show A Heart five-year-old was a fast finishing second behind Typhoon Tracy in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 12 for the second year in a row last start.

Twelve months ago Heart Of Dreams also finished second in the 2010 St George Stakes after the CF Orr and so has the record to suggest he will be competitive again this year.

Local Caulfield trainer Price will also be represented in the St George Stakes field by consistent four-year-old Spacecraft, jumping from barrier seven with Glen Boss in the mount.

Winner of the 2009 Melbourne Cup, the Mark Kavanagh-trained Shocking has come up with barrier nine for the St George Stakes, due to be ridden by Corey Brown.

Shocking finished sixth in last year’s St George Stakes and will likely finish around the same on Saturday, the genuine stayer needing a little more distance to perform at their best.

The Lloyd Williams-owned Linton has drawn ideally with barrier four, Michael Rodd booked for the ride aboard the improving Galileo four-year-old.

Linton was a distant ninth in the CF Orr last start but should have improved after the first-up run and with the extra distance of the St George making them a great Place Bet through Luxbet.

One time favourite for the 2010 Caulfield Cup, Warrnambool galloper Moudre is also backing up from a run in the CF Orr Stakes where the Blevic five-year-old finished second last.

A genuine stayer, Moudre has run over 1800m just once in their 18 start career when winning the Henry Bolte Handicap at Flemington in May of last year.

Precedence has come up trumps in the St George Stakes barrier draw, Bart Cummings’ Zabeel five-year-old due to jump from the inside alley looking to return to form after running 14^th in the CF Orr.

Cummings will also has Shamardal mare Faint Perfume engaged for the St George on Saturday, the only female in the field starting from barrier eight as she runs second-up following her 13^th place finish in the CF Orr.

The 2011 Carlton Draught St George Stakes is scheduled to run as Caulfield Race 8 on Saturday, one event after the marquee race, the $1 million Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).

Luxbet will release their St George Stakes betting odds shortly so make sure you have an account open with Australia’s leading bookmaker to back your favourites at the best prices.

2011 Carlton Draught St George Stakes Field, Barriers & Weights

Photo courtesy (c) Taron Clarke Photography

A weight-for-age showdown, the 2011 St George Stakes provides the ideal lead-up gallop for stayers heading towards the longer distanced autumn features such as the $1 million Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 12.

Top fancies in the early 2011 Australian Cup odds at Luxbet that have been nominated in the St George Stakes include Heart Of Dreams ($6.50), Shocking ($7), Moudre ($9), Linton ($11) and Precedence ($12).

The Mick Price-trained five-year-old Heart Of Dreams is coming off an eye-catching second behind Typhoon Tracy, beaten by the narrowest of margins in the CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 12.

Heart Of Dreams ran second to La Rocket in the St George Stakes last year.

The Lloyd Williams-owned four-year-old grey Linton,  previous Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, Bart Cummings’ Zabeel five-year-old Precedence and genuine Warrnambool-trained stayer Moudre all also ran in the CF Orr Stakes finishing 9^th, 11^th, 14^th and 15^th respectively and all will thrive over the extra distance in the St George Stakes.

The other CF Orr Stakes runners that could back up in this year’s St George Stakes include Mick Price’s Spacecraft (6^th), the John Thompson-trained Trusting (7^th), Bart Cumming’s Shamardal mare Faint Perfume (13^th) and David Hayes’ European import Rebel Solider (16^th).

Other notable entries for the 2011 St George stakes include Alcopop, Kiwi galloper Ginga Dude and the Peter Moody-trained Hanks.

The final field and barrier draw for the 2011 Carlton Draught St George Stakes will be out on Wednesday February 23 and published here at Races.com.au.

The marquee event on the Caulfield card this Saturday is of course the $1 million Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) for two-year-olds, the field due to be released tomorrow so stay tuned to Races.com.au.

Luxbet will have the best St George Stakes odds and also have generous prices open now for the Blue Diamond Stakes entries so visit them now!

2011 St George Stakes Nominations

The 2011 CF Orr Stakes, scheduled as Race 7 at Caulfield on Saturday, will see Peter Moody’s five-time Group 1 winning mare and 2010 CF Orr Stakes champion Typhoon Tracy back to defend her title.

Red Ransom five-year-old Typhoon Tracy, likely to be retired as a broodmare at the end of this season, resumed in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on January 28.

Starting the favourite, she finished a respectable third beaten by less than a length by Whitefriars.

On Saturday the Typhoon will advantage from the slightly longer 1400m distance and with 57kg is one of the three light-weight mares in the field along with Bart Cummings’ Faint Perfume (barrier seven) and Testa Rossa mare Ortensia (barrier six) who was fourth in the Australia Stakes.

Typhoon Tracy, however, has suffered a blow with a wide barrier 11 draw.

Leading Victorian trainer Moody also has his last start stakes winner Doubtful Jack (barrier five) and new edition to his stables, former Macau galloper and Horse of the Year there Luen Yat Forever (barrier 16) engaged for the CF Orr this year.

Linton has drawn barrier 1 for the 2011 CF Orr Stakes

Linton, one of two horses representing prominent racehorse owner Lloyd Williams in the CF Orr Stakes field along with nine-year-old warrior Zipping, is due to be ridden by Michael Rodd on Saturday.

The Galileo four-year-old showed promise in the spring with a good win in the Group 3 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) and second place finish behind Maluckyday in the Group 3 The Lexus Stakes (2500m) but failed to run the 3200m of the Melbourne Cup finishing a distant 21^st out of the 23 starters.

Having been freshened up, Linton is a top chance in the CF Orr Stakes but may struggle with the 59kg which is the heaviest weight they have carried to date.

Zipping has drawn at the other end of the field in gate 10.

The in-form Danehill gelding is resuming after a stunning spring that included a Group 1 victory in the Turnbull Stakes and multiple Group placings including their second to So You Think in the Cox Plate and fourth in the Melbourne Cup.

Twelve months ago Zipping ran seventh to Typhoon Tracy in the CF Orr but is expected to do much better this time round.

Other horses returning from last year’s CF Orr Stakes are 2010 runner-up Heart Of Dreams, fourth placegetter Danzylum and Shocking who ran eighth.

Previous Melbourne Cup winner Shocking is also first-up for the season on Saturday, but has a horror barrier 15 draw to contend from.

Other notable runners in the CF Orr Stakes this year include Bart Cummings’ Zabeel five-year-old Precedence, the Ciaron Maher-trained Moudre and David Haye’s European import Rebel Soldier making their Australian race debut.

Odds on the CF Orr Stakes and all the other Caulfield features this Saturday are due to open at our preferred online bookmaker Luxbet shortly so open your account with them now!

2011 Sportingbet C.F. Orr Stakes Field, Barriers & Weights

Photo courtesy (c) Taron Clarke Photography

Defying his age and the odds, the Lloyd Williams-owned Zipping proved to be in career best form during the spring winning the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m), finishing a gallant second to So You Think in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m), fourth in the Melbourne Cup and then took out the Sandown Classic for a record fourth year in a row.

Last year in a thrilling finish Zipping won the Darley Australian Cup by the narrowest of margins, and the punters are getting right behind the Danehill gelding to take out the $1 million showdown again this year with Sportsbet paying $6 on Zipping in their early Australian Cup odds.

Close second favourite is previous Melbourne Cup winner Shocking paying $6.50 along with stable mate Whobegotyou, a proven weight-for-age performer who most recently ran third in the Cox Plate.

Other runners sitting at the top-end of the Australian Cup futures markets at Sportsbet include Ciaron Maher’s consistent Warrnambool galloper Moudre ($9), Bart Cummings’ Moonee Valley Cup winning Zabeel gelding Precedence ($11), the Gai Waterhouse-trained Theseo ($11), Caulfield-based five-year-old Heart Of Dreams ($13) and Zipping’s promising four-year-old stable mate Linton ($13).

Generous early odds are available on all the other Australian Cup nominees with talent including Cummings’ classy mare Faint Perfume ($31), the John Thompson-trained Trusting ($41) and C’est La Guerre ($51) paying very well.

Check out the full Australian Cup odds available for Win & Each Way through Sportsbet below.

The 2011 Australian Cup final field will be released on March 9 and published here at Races.com.au.

Another leading bookmaker, Luxbet, will be opening markets on the Australian Cup shortly so to bet with Luxbet open an account today using the code Luxbet and get a free $400 wager!

2011 Darley Australian Cup Odds

*Sportsbet odds correct at time of publication

The $350,000 Group 2 Sandown Classic (2400m) is the headline event at Betfair Park Sandown Hillside on Saturday, which is the concluding meeting of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

The Lloyd Williams-owned Zipping returns to the track for the Classic vying for his fourth straight victory, emulating the feat achieved only by three horses before him as Manikato, Tie The Knot and Lord are the only others in history to win four or more consecutive runnings of the same stakes race.

His imposing recent record and ideal barrier one draw has seen Zipping open as the clear $1.70 favourite through Luxbet.

Two other Sandown Classic hopefuls are at single figure odds to cause an upset on Saturday with New Zealand galloper and Mackinnon Stakes third placegetter Ginga Dude paying $6.50 and the Luca Cumani-trained Manighar at $7.

Top value bets to add into your Sandown Classic Trifectas include Bart Cummings’ mare Faint Perfume ($14), tipped to improve on Saturday after an ideal barrier draw, and Kidnapped ($16), Peter Snowden’s runner having their final Australian start before heading to Dubai.

For the full 2010 Patinack Farm Sandown Classic betting markets and odds, head over to Luxbet today where you can get the Tote + 20% on all the Melbourne Group races for Saturday!

2010 Sandown Classic Odds

*Fixed Win Odds from Luxbet correct at time of publication

The 2010 Sandown Classic has drawn a final field of eight exceptional gallopers, including sentimental favourite Zipping vying for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Sandown Classic victory.

The Robert Hickmott-trained Danehill nine-year-old, Zipping has won the past three editions of the Sandown Classic and will return for more glory on Saturday after enjoying a strong spring campaign.

Success on Saturday will see Zipping become just the fourth horse in history to win the same stakes race four or more years in a row along with Lord (Memsie Stakes 1958 – 1961), Manikato (William Reid Stakes 1979 – 1983) and Tie The Knot (Chipping Norton Stakes 1999 – 2002).

Zipping was the surprise winner of the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 3 before running a gallant second to So You Think in the Cox Plate and then ran fourth in the Melbourne Cup for the third time on November 2.

The much-loved veteran galloper has drawn ideally with barrier one for the Sandown Classic on Saturday and will be ridden by Nicholas Hall.

The jockey that rode Zipping to his two most recent Sandown Classic wins, Michael Rodd, will partner Bart Cummings’ classy mare Faint Perfume in Saturday’s showdown.

Former 3YO Filly of the Year, Faint Perfume has failed to perform this season but the daughter of Shamardal could return to form in the Sandown Classic after an ideal barrier two draw.

It is a tough field Zipping faces, one of the main threats coming from New Zealand galloper Ginga Dude.

Ginga Dude took out the Group 3 David Jones Cup on Caulfield Cup Day at their first Australian start before running an eye-catching third to So You Think in the Mackinnon Stakes on October 30, the seven-year-old sure to start high up the betting for Saturday.

British trainer Luca Cumani will run his five-year-old gelding Manighar in the Sandown Classic, seeking a Group victory in Australia after they finished fifth in the Caulfield Cup and then seventh in the Melbourne Cup last start.

Other notable Sandown Classic hopefuls include the Hawkes-trained Zabeel gelding Rainbow Styling and last year’s Sandown Guineas winner Kidnapped, the Peter Snowden-trained four-year-old having their final Australian run before heading overseas to be trained in Dubai.

The 2010 Patinack Farm Sandown Classic is scheduled as Race 7 at Sandown on Saturday, other highlights on the card including the $350,000 Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) and the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m).

Betting markets on all the features are due to open at Luxbet shortly, so get ready to get in on the action by joining this Tabcorp-owned bookmaker today!

2010 Sandown Classic Final Field, Barrier Draw & Weights

With an extra $100,000 in prize money on offer to the winning horse if it was paid up for the Melbourne Cup but missed out on the final field it was always going to be a good race.

Sea Galleon took the lead early in the 2600m race and held it until being overrun once the field hit the Flemington straight. In the end it was the Ciaron Maher trained Moudre, with jockey Craig Williams, who pushed ahead to win by 0.8 of a length from Capecover while Persian Star finished an impressive third. Fourth home was Dream Pedlar.

Early Melbourne Cup fancies Faint Perfume trained by bart Cummings and Drunken Sailor trained by Luca Cumani finished well back in 9th and 10th respectively

2010 Queen’s Cup Finishing Order