The Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes is the feature race at Caulfield on Saturday, however the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) has drawn a particularly exciting and capacity field of sprinters and figures as the most interesting and lucrative race from a betting standpoint as a result.
Keen Array has cut into outright favouritism in 2016 Oakleigh Plate betting markets. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Three-year-old Keen Array has so-far received the greatest market share of bets for success in the Group 1 open sprinting race; cutting in from 2016 Oakleigh Plate odds of $5 to currently figure as outright $4.60 favourite and clear market mover.
Keen Array stamped himself as a colt to follow upon debuting to racing in early 2015, but undoubtedly kicked up a gear through the recent Spring Carnival.
Winning a pair of minor Victorian sprints through August and September, the Bel Esprit gelding ran second to Bassett in the National Jockeys Trust Plate (1100m) before returning to wining form in the William Hill Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 2nd.
Making a successful transition to black type company when taking out the Listed Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) on October 14th, Keen Array undoubtedly produced a career-best performance to finish second to Japonisme in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
Keen Array is drawn ideally in barrier 4, has been charged with carrying a minimal 50kgs and still offers plenty of value at current Oakleigh Plate odds.
Heatherly has interestingly drifted in 2016 Oakleigh Plate betting markets but remains sole occupant of the second line at current $5 odds for success.
Heatherly is a lightly-raced three-year-old but has finished outside the first three only once in eight starts; posting four wins and three minors.
Resuming this time for second in the Total Logistic Solutions BM78 (1000m) before placing third in the Jeep 55 Second Challenge (955m) on December 18th, the Lonhro filly beat a talented field to the line in the Slickpix BM78 (1000m) and repeated the dose in the Andrew Guy Plate (1100m) on January 30th.
Having won the key form-indicating Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield a fortnight ago, Heatherly will again be partnered by Katelyn Mallyon in the Oakleigh Plate.
Interestingly figuring as the only other runner currently offered at Oakleigh Plate odds of less-than $10, Bounding ($6) is a proven performer at the class and distance and is more than worth consideration for a bet after drawing barrier 8.
Beginning her career under the guidance of Ken Kelso before being transferred to Peter and Paul Snowden at the conclusion of her 2014 campaign, Bounding resumed in spring for an impressive win in the Group 3 TheShark.com.au Stakes (1100m) before a luckless run for third in the Group 3 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) most recently in September.
Group 1 winners Flamberge ($31) and Smokin’ Joey ($34) offer incredible value for money in Oakleigh Plate betting markets while the likes of Kuro ($34), Fast ‘N’ Rocking ($15), Éclair Choice ($34) and Lord Of The Sky ($26) are not without chances.
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