Payney’s Punt | Oaks Day tips and preview

By Aydin Payne

Nov 8, 2023

Let’s land some winners: *Payney’s Punt* is sticking with Zardozi again and has her on top to claim the Group One Oaks. Photo: Racing Photos Photo by George Sal

It is time to Giddy up with Punter for day three of the Melbourne Cup carnival.

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We’re feeling light in the pockets after Tuesday’s disastrous Melbourne Cup Day.

Ever watched Saving Private Ryan? The opening 10 minutes of that film pretty much sums up how Tuesday went for this mug punter — it was a bloodbath.

We couldn’t even pick our noses it was that bad.

But we have picked ourselves up off the canvas and are ready to exact revenge on the bookies.

Our focus turns to Oaks Day at Flemington, with the rail out 5m for the entire track and we are expected to see them run on a Good 4 despite the chance of thunderstorms.

We might be at rock bottom and wallets might be empty, but the good thing about that is the only way is up and the pockets can’t get any lighter.

If you are having a dabble on the races, please remember to gamble responsibly.

Race 1. 12.40pm - Ottawa Stakes (1000m)

Down the straight to kick things off with the Ottawa Stakes for two-year-olds. An interesting race with half the field making its race debut. Out of the debutants we fancy the Lindsay Park runner Harpalee (8). Won a recent trial in good fashion. The Hayes boys seem to get it right with their debutant two-year-olds. In terms of those who have race experience, Arabian Summer (3) looks a great each-way play. Ran down the straight in a trial and ran second on debut behind a good thing. Eneeza (7) and Hayasugi (1) have to be respected. Watch the market.

Top tip: Harpalee

Race 2. 1.15pm - BM70 (1700m)

Tricky race here. The top-weight Starianne (1) finds this easier than last start win (BM78) over 1400m. Yet to miss a placing on a good track. Brazen Lady (4) was held up last start and still pushed late to finish a length off the winner. Rise in trip should suit and is twice runner-up at this level. City Of Lights (3) is one we blackbooked following a great debut earlier this year at Geelong. Half-sister to Winx, won last start second-up over 1500m and looked to have more under the bonnet. Has drawn wide, but that should allow to find a sit with a bit of cover off the speed. Goes on top.

Top tip: City Of Lights

Race 3. 1.50pm - Grand Handicap (2000m)

Daiquiri (8) has drawn well and should get a soft lead with Tommy (10) and Hennessy Lad (3) pushing up as well. Tommy has been racing well and comes into this off an emphatic win. Rises in grade, but drops in the weights and maps to find a spot near the speed. Has placed both times at the trip. A good each-way play and our best value bet.

Top tip: Tommy (each-way)

Race 4. 2.30pm - Inglis Bracelet (1600m)

This points to Foxy Frida (1) getting a soft run in transit. Drops down in class from last weekend’s G1 Empire Rose Stakes which was run in quick time and didn’t suit those making ground. We backed her in each-way that day and happy to remain with her again. Strong form at this track, great record over the mile. Goes on top. Chandon Burj (2) comes in off a second in the Seymour Cup and is the main danger. Can handle dry and wet tracks.

Top tip: Foxy Frida

Race 5. 3.10pm - G.H Mumm Stakes (1000m)

Should be a ripping contest with a number of runners with claims. Spacewalk (1) went bang on Derby Day. Is on the quick back-up — like most here — and maps to get another race tempo. Has a 4:1-1-1 record over the journey. JMac has a good strike rate with the trainer. Generation (6) ran third behind Spacewalk last start at Caulfield. Najem Suhail (10) gapped them at the weekend, but was chased down by Spacewalk in the dying 100m. That was impressive considering the strong headwind. Drop in distance helps. Anthrelmic (3) looks overs at double figure odds. Is great at the trip 8:4-2-0 and has two wins when third-up. This is easier, only knock is record down the straight.

Top tip: Spacewalk, Anthrelmic (EW)

Race 6. 3.50pm - MCC Final (1600m)

A large field gathered here and it’s probably the hardest race on the card. Doesn’t look like there will be a lot of speed. Euphoric (2) won last start when resuming over 1500m and against some of the opposition here. Has four wins from seven starts. Poison Chalice (8) was brilliant when fresh at start of this prep over 1400m and we blackbooked him off that run. Our comment reads “great turn of foot when finding a gap and looks a promising miler”. Won when heavily backed last start and drops in weight and JMac goes on. Any rain a tick. Only knock is the car park barrier (20). As Aretha Franklin once sang, ‘R, E, S, P, E, C, T’.

Top tip: Poison Chalice (EW)

Race 7. 4.30pm - Red Roses Stakes (1100m)

Life doesn’t get any easier in the next. Mumbai Muse (4) won last start to shake the maiden tag. Placed at G2 level earlier this spring and that form fronts up. Heart Of Glass (16) was insane when on debut. Smoked them and it was in quick time. A jump in class, but must be respected. Shesallshenanigans (2) was ordinary last start a month ago after racing in good form previously. Won at this trip-distance after a four-week break in September, can history repeat? Appin Girl (5) isn’t the worst. Must forgive its first-up run when three lengths off the winner. Is lightly raced (4:2-0-1) and has won second-up from one attempt. Has a G2 placing and jockey Mark Zahra is in career best form. Should sit off the pace. Best roughie.

Top tip: Mumbai Muse (W), Appin Girl (Best roughie)

Race 8. 5.10pm - Oaks (2500m)

The headline act. A few runners backing up from Derby Day’s Wakeful Stakes (G2). Zardozi (2) is one of them and goes on top. Was impressive running on against the race pattern at 2000m to only just miss to Amazonian Lass (3). Was our best of the day on Saturday and we are happy to stick fat. Her run in the Wakeful shows she wanted a bit further and a rise in trip will suit. Tropical Squall (1) led and won the Flight Stakes (G1) two back and ran second at G2 level last start. Is out of a previous Derby winner and commands respect.

Top tip: Zardozi

Race 9. 5.50pm - BM90 (1800m)

Our best of the day greets us in the last. Gregolimo (4) has placed at both runs Down Under and did well in the G3 Coongy Cup last start. Has drawn well and should get a box seat on the pace. Yet to win when third-up, but has two runner-up finishes. Has a 3:1-1-1 record on good ground can handle soft ground. Looks hard to beat.

Top tip: Gregolimo (best bet)