The Neds Oakleigh Plate is one of three Group 1 races on Neds Blue Diamond Stakes Race Day and the 1100m dash is always like the charge of the Light Brigade and this year will be no exception.

A full field of eighteen sprinters is set to line up again this year and no doubt the speed will be on from the outset with the likes of Ball Of Muscle and Faatinah as well as the light weights Pippie, Anaheed, I Am Immortal and Free Of Debt likely to be in the firing line from the jump.

The Peter And Paul Snowden trained Anaheed put herself into contention for the Oakleigh Plate with an impressive first-up win in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) a fortnight ago while the James Cummings-trained Bivouac has been installed as the favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au.

We have analysed the entire field and our complete 2020 Oakleigh Plate tips can be found below!

Ball Of Muscle

Speed machine Ball Of Muscle always puts in one hundred per cent and it will be no different in the Oakleigh Plate. The veteran sprinter does his best work from the front and will go into Saturday’s contest with two winning barrier trials under his belt. The Joe Pride trained nine-year-old has been given the top weight of 58kg and this might be his last chance to win a Group 1.

Zoutori

Zoutori is one of two sprinters that co-trainers Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra will have trying to provide the stable with back to back wins in the Oakleigh Plate following Booker’s win twelve months ago. Zoutori performed well at Group 2 level during the 2019 Melbourne Spring Carnival with a win and two placings but was well beaten at his only attempt in Group 1 company when sixth in the Darley Sprint Classic over 1200m down the Flemington straight on the last day of the 2019 Melbourne Cup Carnival. The four-year-old has a good first record.

Bivouac

Bivouac was one of the star three-year-olds during the 2019 Spring Carnival with a win in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill as well as a second in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes over 1200m down the Flemington straight on the first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Bivouac has plenty of weight to carry as a three year old first up against the older horses but has still been installed as the Oakleigh Plate favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au and is certain to make his presence felt.

Faatinah

Faatinah is yet to win at Group 1 level but has had several wins against Group 2 company. The Lindsay Park trained Faatinah is resuming and has an outstanding first-up record of six wins from eight attempts and has won a Wodonga barrier trial in preparation for his return. The seven-year-old has drawn a nice barrier and has plenty of early speed to take advantage of the good gate.

Bons Away

Bons Away is stepping up sharply in grade following his first-up fourth over 1000m in the Listed W.J. Adams Stakes at Caulfield on February 1. Bons Away is yet to win second-up from six attempts.

Crystal Dreamer

Crystal Dreamer is yet to compete at Group 1 level but is a two-time winner over the Oakleigh Plate course and distance. The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra trained Crystal Dreamer has had a freshen up since finishing third in the Listed MRC Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on December 26.

Trope

The in-form Team Hawkes stable will saddle up the lightly raced Trope who will be having his first run back since finishing ninth in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley in October. The four-year-old will be facing a tough first-up assignment in this company.

 All Too Royal

All Too Royal has been racing well in weaker company with a third in the Listed Kensington Stakes over 1000m down the Flemington straight followed by a third behind Anaheed in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes over 1100m at Caulfield a fortnight ago. Was a handy effort last start and has a nice drop in the weights.

Anjana

Anjana has missed a place at her only two runs in Group 1 company and is resuming after a long time off the scene. The four-year-old mare will be having her first start since finishing tenth in a 1100m three-year-old Handicap at Flemington in May last year.

Bold Star

Bold Star has been racing in top form with three wins and two placings from his last five starts but he is yet to be tested in Group 1 company. Bold Star will appreciate a 6kg drop in weight after finishing second to Anaheed in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes over the same course and distance as the Oakleigh Plate and has a great each-way chance again.

Fine Dane

Fine Dane was a winner three starts back over 955m at The Valley but has been unplaced at his latest two starts and looks well out of his depth here.

Halvorsen

Halvorsen has worked his way up through the grades and made it a hat trick of wins at Flemington with a win in the 1200m Group 3 Standish Handicap on January 1. Tougher here.

Humma Humma

Humma Humma is a winner over the same course and distance as the Oakleigh Plate but she will be taking a huge jump up in class following her latest fifth in the Listed W.J. Adams Stakes at Caulfield on February 1.

Mystyko

Mystyko has fair form in much weaker company but will be sent out as one of the outsiders of the Oakleigh Plate field.

Pippie

The John and Chris Meagher trained Pippie is resuming and has won two from two first-up assignments in the past. The speedy mare will sit up on the pace for Linda Meech and with only 52kg on her back will be hard to run down. One of the main chances.

Anaheed

The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Anaheed put the writing on the wall for a top performance in the Oakleigh Plate with a first-up win in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes over 1100m at Caulfield a fortnight ago. The three-year-old filly is a two-time winner at Caulfield and looks to be one of the top chances with only 51kg on her back.

I Am Immortal

I Am Immortal is a winner over the Oakleigh Plate course and distance and has plenty of early pace to put himself in the firing line for a long way but will find wanting at the finish in this class.

Free Of Debt

Free Of Debt resumed from a spell for a first-up second in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield on February 1 but will be facing much tougher opposition here.

Vainstream

First emergency Vainstream is marked as the outsider of the Oakleigh Plate field at Ladbrokes.com.au and is still eligible for restricted grade.