2025 Crown Oaks Day Preview

There was a lot to like about the last start performance of FULL HAO and I think she’ll relish getting out on the big Flemington track.

Second up over the mile at Warwick Farm, the Chris Waller trained mare settled midfield and when asked to make her move approaching the turn, she appeared a bit flat-footed but picked up late to charge into second.

A daughter of Castelvecchio, she looks very progressive, the slight rise to 1700m will suit and James McDonald sticks with her.

CLOUDLAND is back to defend his title after taking out this iconic event for the greys last year.

He’s in top form having won two of his past four starts and he was gallant in defeat last time at Randwick.

Wide and exposed throughout the 1200m event, he stuck on well to hold fourth, beaten only 1.6lengths and that was on the back of a seven week freshen up.

He’s since trialled so he strips fitter again and the rise to 1400m will suit.

The in-form Ethan Brown will do the steering for Kris Lees and any moisture in the track will only enhance the chances.

KEEP YOUR COOL is racing well and she steps out the mile for the first time.

The daughter of Deep Field proved too good over the 1400m at Caulfield two runs back and given a seven week freshen up, she was strong to the line last time to finish second over that same course and distance.

A very honest mare, she looks nicely placed here and gets a senior rider back aboard, with Mark Zahra to take over the steering.

ZAMBARDO will look to keep building his picket fence as he shoots for his fifth straight victory.

Prepared by the Price / Kent team, the former Kiwi has just had the seven race starts and looks a smart stayer on the rise.

Placed in his two runs in his homeland before crossing the ditch, the four year old was unlucky not to have won when resuming over the mile on the Lakeside but was quick to atone.

A maiden winner on the Pakenham synthetic in August, he then proved too good over 1728m at Sale and has made light work of it at his past two.

He does rise in grade but will carry just 54kgs and I think he’ll be well suited here on the big track.

REGAL AMZON closed off strongly last start over the 1496m journey at the Valley and he looks ready to peak at his third run back.

He didn’t have the best of luck when resuming over 1400m at Flemington, working his way through in restricted room, he was held up momentarily before charging late to get within 2.3 lengths of the winner.

His record at this point of his preparation is hard to ignore, four wins and a third placing from five third up appearances.

He excels over the mile and he’ll be right there at the finish.

KENGERO comes off a very encouraging first up performance over 1400m at Seymour and he looks well placed here as he steps out to the mile.

Under the 62.5kg impost, the gelding was always wide but still finished off strongly into second.

It’s only the second preparation on Australian soil for the former French galloper and he looks to have settled in nicely.

His previous form is solid, he’ll certainly appreciate the rise in trip and he gets the services of Mark Zahra.

POINT BARROW was ultra impressive winning over 1200m at Caulfield last start and I think she’ll prove too good for them once again.

Slow away, she settled well back and came the widest on turning before unleashing a powerful turn of foot to overhaul the leader.

It was a superb effort from the Blue Point filly at her prior start at the Valley in the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes as she stormed home from the tail to claim third.

With four weeks since her latest run, she’s been given an 800m jump out to keep her ticking over and I think she’ll relish getting out onto the big Flemington track.

Daniel Stackhouse has partnered her in four of her five starts and he stays aboard for Anthony and Sam Freedman.

GETTA GOOD FEELING is on the quick back up after a decisive victory in the Wakeful Stakes on Derby Day and she looks hard to beat off that performance.

Settling outside the leader, she always looked to have the race in her grasp and proved too good late as she extended strongly to score by over a length.

The daughter of So You Think overcome trouble to take out the Edward Manifold three starts back and then turned out a terrific performance to finish a only length away in third in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas.

The way she finds the line suggests she’ll have no trouble seeing out the 2500m journey and she draws to get the right run under Mark Zahra.

REY MAGNERIO kicked off his campaign in style, taking out the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint.

It was anxious viewing if your money was on, as he was badly held up for much of the straight but class prevailed as he shot through late to score by a long neck.

A three-time stakes winner and Group 1 placegetter, the son of Magnus has put together an impressive CV and he’s once again returned in fine order.

He boasts a terrific record down the Flemington straight and has yet to miss a tip three spot in three second up appearances.

Jye McNeil knows how to get the best out of him and I think he’ll prove too good for them again.