Oaks Day 2010

A busy Oaks Day awaits the stable with six runners in five races - including the favourite for the feature event, the super filly Brazilian Pulse.

Pulling up well from her tough Wakeful Stakes victory on Saturday, the high class three-year-old looks the one to the beat in the Oaks, Michael Moroney just hoping that there is no further rain.

"We are really happy with her," he said, "the question mark is the ground - if we get more rain the track will revert to heavy and she was not at her best on that sort of track in the 1000 Guineas."

Fortunately last weekend's deluge began after the Wakeful, and hopefully the weather gods will again smile on us!

Earlier in the day we have two runners in the opening event, Viking Hero and Viallico contesting the La Vie En Rose Vase over 1800m.

Running two very nice races this campaign, Viking Hero looks nicely primed and his set to atone for losing a stakes race on protest on this day last year.

A particularly good looking gelding, Viking Hero has drawn awkwardly in barrier 19 but Moroney has been happy with his progress this time in.

"He will need a bit of luck from that gate and it is a strong race - but we think he will prove hard to beat."

Viallico meanwhile is expected to run his usual honest race, the five-year-old always putting his best hoof forward.

"He has been consistent for us," Moroney said, "and it will be interesting to see where he fits in in this stronger field."

Dead End is our next runner, due to take his place in the fifth race - the TCL Electronics Plate, better known to racegoers as the all grey race.

A most impressive winner at debut, saluting in easy style at Moe on October 14, the son of High Chaparral is well regarded by the stable although Moroney is well aware of the rise in class.

"This is a strong enough race," he said, "and his lack of experience may count against him. But he is a very promising horse and lightly weighted."

Contesting the race after the Oaks - the Listed Myer Spring Fashion Plate (the race Viking Hero lost last year) - is Absolutelyawesome who missed out on a run as emergency in last Saturday's Derby.

He too is highly thought off and he drops in class after contesting the Gr.2 AAMI Vase on Cox Plate day.

"He has got a bit of wet track form in barrier trials in New Zealand," Moroney said, "and we expect him to handle it. He looks hard to beat."

St Ives is our final runner for the day, lining up in the final event, the Grazia Handicap. A very wet track won't suit him but his first two runs this campaign have been good.

"He will strip at his best for this," Moroney said, "he usually hits form at his third run in. He is as well as he can be."

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