The $1m VRC Oaks at Flemington on Thursday has drawn together an interesting mix of three-year-old fillies that are getting to a staying trip for the first time.
There was a field of 13 runners declared for the 2500m contest.
Here is a runner-by-runner analysis of every horse set to line up on Saturday.
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Trainer: Danny O’Brien Jockey: Mark Zahra Weight: 56kg Barrier: 4
She’s one of the best fillies in Victoria and her performances have improved as the distances have increased. She was a dominant winner of the Wakeful (2000m) last Saturday and it’s the race’s premier lead-up with nine fillies doing the Wakeful/Oaks double since 2000 with another seven Wakeful runners winning the Oaks. Got the jockey with Mark Zahra and the draw.
VERDICT: She’s the horse they all have to beat.
One to watch for the Crown Oaks 👀
Mark Zahra kicks off his 2025 #MelbCupCarnival in style aboard GETTA GOOD FEELING.
🎥 @wwos | #DerbyDaypic.twitter.com/Tclrh421O4
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 1, 2025
2 – THE PEARLS
Trainer: Chris Waller Jockey: James McDonald Weight: 56kg Barrier: 12
Amazingly this filly is Chris Waller’s first VRC Oaks runner – yes, that’s right. The only Kiwi-bred runner in the race, she’s a daughter of top stallion Proisir. This filly comes through the Sydney staying races and she’s been prominent against the boys, placing second in the Gloaming (1900m) and third in the Spring Champion (2000m). That form proved solid in the Derby on Saturday. James McDonald on board but drawn badly.
VERDICT: One of the leading chance but will need some luck early from barrier 12.
Attica FLIES home to win the Spring Champion Stakes! 🏆@PrideRacing@godolphinpic.twitter.com/Abzc6CyBWz
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 25, 2025
3 – SPICY LU
Trainer: Nick Olive Jockey: Nash Rawiller Weight: 56kg Barrier: 7
Another runner from NSW but this filly has been in Melbourne for much of this preparation. She’s been building as the distances have increased, winning her last start in the Ethereal (2000m) at Caulfield almost three weeks ago. Only two runners have done the Ethereal/Oaks double since 2000 with two other Oaks winners coming out of the race. She will make her own luck and has top on-speed jockey Nash Rawiller.
VERDICT: She commands each-way interest.
SPICY LU 🔵🔴
All the way for the Queanbeyan filly in the Ethereal Stakes! @nashhot back in the winners stall on Caulfield Cup Day 💪 pic.twitter.com/3tNrgYOBBD
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 18, 2025
4 – JUST A JOURNEY
Trainer: Michael Freedman Jockey: Damian Lane Weight: 56kg Barrier: 10
She comes into this off a second placing in the Ethereal but her form also ties into Getta Good Feeling, being narrowly beaten by that filly two starts back in the Edward Manifold (1600m) back on October 4. Another on speed performer that has to overcome barrier 10, which isn’t ideal with a short run to the turn.
VERDICT: Place prosects are the strongest.
GETTA GOOD FEELING 💥
Another thriller at Flemington as Richo’s Roughie flies home to score at $17! pic.twitter.com/XEWHIGUih8
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 4, 2025
5 – ETHEREUM GIRL
Trainer: Ben, Will and JD Hayes Jockey: Jamie Melham Weight: 56kg Barrier: 3
This is the filly that was the unlucky runner in the Wakeful. She overraced early then was never fully tested in the straight and beaten just over four lengths. Stewards reprimanded the jockey for not attempting to improve into a run near the 300m. Michael Dee off, Jamie Melham on and drawn to get a good run. The concern is she didn’t get the full benefit of the 2000m lead-up run.
VERDICT: You could make an each-way case for her.
HOW ABOUT THAT FINISH ⁉️
Ferivia wins the Thousand Guineas Prelude in a thrilling four way go 🤯 pic.twitter.com/YAkLPExjvo
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 27, 2025
6 – SHEEZA DIVA
Trainer: Mitchell and Desiree Kearney Jockey: Rachel King Weight: 56kg Barrier: 11
Pint-sized filly from Sydney. She produced the best closing sectionals to finish fourth in the Gloaming Stakes then she wasn’t as strong late two weeks later in the Spring Champion Stakes when a midfield finisher. Blinkers off, winkers on with a wide draw to overcome.
VERDICT: No thanks off her Spring Champion run.
A slice of paradise! 🌴
Shangri La Boy is impressive in winning the G3 Gloaming Stakes at start number 3!@GaiWaterhouse1@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/tpeQ8UiTUg
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 11, 2025
Trainer: Thomas Carberry Jockey: John Allen Weight: 56kg Barrier: 13
The most inexperienced filly in the race, facing the starter for the fourth time. Won her maiden at Ballarat two back then she was excellent, closing off strongly back to the inside in the Wakeful, running the best last 600m, 400m and 200m sectionals. Barrier 13 cools you on her chances, expect her to go back.
VERDICT: Great Oaks trial in the Wakeful, can win because she’ll stay.
Ballarat Race 3 | Strictly Business
A huge win from last! 🕺🏻
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0pic.twitter.com/mJd3hpLXXq
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 24, 2025
8 – AFTER SUMMER
Trainer: Dominic Sutton Jockey: Billy Egan Weight: 56kg Barrier: 2
The Autumn Sun filly that won the Oaks Prelude (1800m) in a farcically slow affair then wasn’t disgraced when third in the Ethereal almost three weeks ago, running the second best last 600m and 200m splits of the race. Drawn to get a favourable run and winkers are back on.
VERDICT: With the right run she could run into the placings.
Flemington Oaks Preview | After Summer
After Summer leads all the way for @TheBeeegan and Dominic Sutton 👏
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0pic.twitter.com/MwtfSs4GRp
— Racing.com (@Racing) September 21, 2025
9 – ZOUCLAIRE
Trainer: Ciaron Maher Jockey: Ethan Brown Weight: 56kg Barrier: 1
Still a maiden after six starts, the most recent a fifth placing when having every chance before being beaten more than five lengths in the Ethereal Stakes almost three weeks ago. She’s drawn to get every chance but there’s a few ahead of her here coming out of her last start.
VERDICT: It would be a surprise if she ends up in the placings.
10 – VOTING RIGHTS
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Jockey: Jordan Childs Weight: 56kg Barrier: 5
Broke her maiden two starts back at Ballarat over 1600m before running well when third in the Wakeful on Saturday. At best she was third best, probably fourth (behind Ethereum Girl) out of that race from an Oaks perspective but she has drawn to give her every chance of running the trip.
VERDICT: Place claims.
11 – MORISU OJO
Trainer: Ciaron Maher Jockey: Craig Williams Weight: 56kg Barrier: 8
Hamilton maiden winner three runs ago then a respectable effort when beat less than two lengths in the Super Impose (1800m) at Flemington before failing in the Ethereal at Caulfield, where she ran the best 600 to 400m sectional but tired late. Mid draw.
VERDICT: Looks out of her depth.
Options stamps his Derby credentials with a swooping win in the Super Impose!@HTCoffey@mcevoymitchellpic.twitter.com/gIx7kGNLRK
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 4, 2025
12 – CLASSIC GEM
Trainer: Wendy Kelly Jockey: Ben Allen Weight: 56kg Barrier: 9
She’s been consistent without winning throughout her five-start career, not beaten more than 1¾ lengths in her past four starts, the latest when fourth in the Ethereal Stakes on October 18 when she ran the best last 600m, 400m and 200m sectionals. Likely to go back from the draw.
VERDICT: You can mount an each-way case for her.
13 – JANEY BOPPER
Trainer: Andrew Bobbin Jockey: Harry Coffey Weight: 56kg Barrier: 6
This is start four so she’s the least experienced runner in the race. In her most recent run she placed in a Warrnambool maiden over 2000m. She’s drawn OK.
VERDICT: Lacks the class to bother these.
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CLINTON PAYNE’S VRC OAKS TIPS
1st – GETTA GOOD FEELING (No. 1)
2nd – STRICTLY BUSINESS (No. 7)
3rd – CLASSIC GEM (No. 12)
4th – THE PEARLS (No. 2)