2022 Oakleigh Plate betting preview, tips & best odds

Oakleigh Plate preview

What 2022 Oakleigh Plate
Where Caulfield Racecourse – 22 Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145
When Race 8 | 5:05pm AEDT | Saturday, February 26, 2022
Prizemoney $750,000
Distance 1100m
Status Group 1
Race Conditions Handicap
2021 Winner Portland Sky / Celebrity Queen | Jockey: Teo Nugent / William Pike | Trainer: Matt Laurie / Grant & Alana Williams

The Oakleigh Plate is the third and final Group 1 event on Caulfield’s nine-race card on Saturday afternoon. The 1100m dash has been a launching pad for many a superstar sprinter, so who will etch their name in racing folklore this weekend?

The undefeated Marabi from the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stable has strung together six impressive wins to start her career and is coming off a dominant win in the Group 2 Australia Stakes. She is quoted a $2.70 chance with , whilst Wild Ruler and Minhaaj are deemed $8 chances on the second line of betting.

All-in punters rejoiced when Marabi drew barrier two, and from the soft draw she looks set to gain Group 1 glory at just her seventh start. From the low gate, Ben Allen – who is also chasing his first Group 1 victory – can take up the running and dictate terms throughout. The five-year-old mare has a high cruising speed and has continually broken the hearts of her rivals in her races, and considering she goes around with just 54kg on her back, she looks hard to catch. Marabi has handled all sorts of pressure to date, and if she is anywhere near her best, she can put a gap on the rest.

Wild Ruler will need to lug 58kg first-up from a spell, but on the back of two strong trial wins, he looks the main danger to Marabi. Having won the Moir Stakes over 1000m during the spring, he is no doubt one of the best sprinters in the country and will look to further his reputation on Saturday. From barrier six, we expect Mark Zahra will track the speed throughout and be no further back than three pairs from the speed. His turn of foot is electric, and if Marabi shows any signs of vulnerabilities, then Wild Ruler looks the one who will pounce on the opportunity.

Manikato Stakes winner Jonker has trialled up nicely coming into the Oakleigh Plate, as has Minhaaj following a strong spring campaign. If the favourite struggles in her step up into Group 1 company, then this could become a wide-open affair.

Best bets for the 2022 Oakleigh Plate

Marabi could not have been any more impressive when winning under weight-for-age conditions and will appreciate going around in a high-pressure race like this with 54kg. We anticipate she will take up the running and try to break her rivals with her high cruising speed. We expect Marabi to lead from start to finish, but if she shows any form of weakness, look for Wild Ruler to gobble her up in the shadows of the winning post.

$100 betting strategy
$80 win Marabi
$20 quinella Wild Ruler / Marabi

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