Information about the Crown Oaks
The Crown Oaks are held during the famous Victorian Spring Racing Carnival, they were formally known as the VRC Oaks. The Crown Oaks is currently the leading event for three-year-old fillies and the equivalent of the Victoria Derby for geldings and colts. The race takes place on the first Thursday of November, exactley two days after the Emirates Melbourne Cup during the four day Flemington Carnival.
This Group 1 event is one of the most lucrative races for fillies in the country with stakes set at over $1million. The race is over 2500m with the competing three-year-olds all carrying set weights of 55.5kg. As the main feature race of the day the draws alot of atttention from those in attendance. The Crown Oaks Day itself is also known as 'Ladies Day' and colloqiually Blokes Day, the day sees events such as "Fashions on the Field" competition take place, ensuring a crowd of over 100,000 people.
The Crown Oaks was first run in 1861 and won by Palestine. What initially began as a a principal race over 12 furlongs remained the same for just over a century till the metric system was adopted which led to the race being measured in at 2400m in 1972. In 1973 the distance run was increased by 100m to 2500m and not long after it reached group 1 status (1979).
The distance of 2500m is difficultfor the lower quality filllies and it is more likely that the winner is an elite turn champion such as Samantha Miss (2008), Miss Finland (2006), Special Harmony (2003) and Magical Miss (2001).
Its also worth keeping an eye on the form entries trained by Bart Cummings or Lee Freedman, both of these champion trainers have won 4 of the last 20 Crown Oaks.
For more information on the 2009 Crown Oaks and the 2009 Crown Oaks Odds be sure to head to Sport Bet Australia.
About the Author: