Zardozi tops Wakeful Stakes field for VRC Oaks audition
The Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) for the three-year-old fillies has drawn a competitive field of 14 set to line up at Flemington on Saturday.
There’s $300,000 up for grabs, but more importantly, it’s the last chance for the girls to build their resume for the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) on November 9.
The James Cummings-trained filly Zardozi is a firm +140 favourite with online bookmakers as James McDonald makes his way to Melbourne for the ride.
She was impressive when dispatching her rivals in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) and now steps up to 2000m for the first time.
Having won the Oaks Trial (1800m) on September 24, the John Sargent-trained Harlow Mist (+400) has gained early support with top betting sites.
The daughter of Contributor will be breaking from barrier one with Blake Shinn in the saddle.
Jamie Kah has landed aboard Konasana (+450) for the Chris Waller barn, with Damien Lane electing to ride in Sydney this weekend.
The daughter of Dundeel is one of the three gallopers pressing on from the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield a fortnight prior.
The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Amazonian Lass is the only runner to shorten from double digits, coming from +1000 into +850.
The Wakeful Stakes is the fifth race on the Flemington program, jumping at 3pm AEDT.
Wakeful Stakes 2023 field
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