Signup to Ladbrokes

Races.com.au Favourite Bookmaker!

SPRNGC

Copy Signup Code

Code for tracking purposes only

Chances are you're about to lose.

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au

The all-in quote for Oak Hill to win the 2026 Oakleigh Plate on Blue Diamond Stakes Day has firmed dramatically following the Lindsay Park-trained gelding’s Group 2 $300,000 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) win at Caulfield over the weekend.

The Per Incanto five-year-old went around at a starting price of $4.60 and celebrated his first win since last August when presenting fit second-up to win the Rubiton by a quarter-length over Don’t Hope Do ($9) with the beaten favourite Hedged ($2.70F) running third.

Don’t Hope Do was in the lead round the turn for home, while Hedged was caught up between runners unable to get into clear air until the closing stages ultimately running out of time.

Oak Hill meanwhile travelled sweetly for jockey Damian Lane behind a genuine tempo coming from fourth on the final bend to quickly put himself on the scene winding up well down the home straight to run down and narrowly edge out the front runner.

The win stamped Oak Hill as a sprinter on the rise after he produced a brilliant performance to claim the Group 2 off a peach of a ride by Lane, surging clear late to secure the biggest win of his career to date.

The lightly raced speedster arrived at the Group 2 fresh and full of intent, and he delivered exactly what the stable had hoped for — a clean jump, a perfect stalking position, and an explosive turn of foot when the race was there to be won.

“That was a terrific effort by Oak Hill,” co-trainer JD Hayes told Racing.com on Saturday.

“I thought he put the writing on the wall last start when he returned (running 2nd in the Listed WJ Adams on Jan 24).

“We’ve taken all the gear off his head and he’s just starting to really learn his craft.

“He’s a late learner and a horse that we inherited from the late, great, Mike Moroney and he is getting better each preparation.

“Great to get Damian Lane on board. He’s won quite a few races on him and it’s always good to get a winner for Rupert Legh in those colours.”

The victory continues his upward trajectory and immediately thrusts him into the conversation for the major autumn sprints, with connections now weighing up whether to keep him at Caulfield for the Group 1 $750,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on February 21 or stretch to the $2 million Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) down the Flemington straight on March 7.

Punters have to look back to Lankan Rupee (2014) to find the last horse to complete the Rubiton Stakes – Oakleigh Plate double, and the price on Oak Hill to be the next in all-in Oakleigh markets at Ladbrokes.com.au has firmed from $21 to $9 following the Rubiton Stakes results.

Lane, whose last Oakleigh Plate win came aboard Flamberge for Peter Moody back in 2016, was full of post-race praise for Oak Hill who has earmarked as a genuine Oakleigh type.

“He’d handle it well,” he said.

“He’s got that experience now in short course racing – hustle and bustle – and now that he’s more mature in the mind that’ll help him and it’ll set up well.

“Great to get a positive result and get them (Lindsay Park) back on an upward spiral. I love this horse. I’ve won five races on him.

“I was stiff to be removed as his number one pilot when he changed hands, but it is good to be back on him.”

Futures 2026 Oakleigh Plate odds remain led by Anthony & Sam Freedman‘s ultra-consistent Blue Point filly Point Barrow and her progressive four-year-old stablemate Tropicus at an equal $4.50 at time of publish.

IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD.

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.