3 minute read

The New Zealand Oaks run at Trentham on Saturday is often a very good guide as to whether the fillies will go on to be strong mares.

Sydney Oaks form is also a great pointer here and a filly like Bonneval showed that. Will another filly head over the Tasman after tasting a win in the 2020 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday?

2020 NEW ZEALAND OAKS - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The New Zealand Oaks is a Group 1 race run under Set Weight conditions for three year old fillies at Trentham race course conducted by the Wellington Racing Club.

The New Zealand Oaks is run over 2400m. It was first run in 1969 and won by Mayo Gold.

The New Zealand Oaks is the main New Zealand fillies race.

As part of the Wellington Cup carnival, it was first run as the Wellington Oaks over a mile and a quarter. However it became a mile and a half in 1973 and was then called the NZ Oaks in 1974.

Kiwis fillies have run well in this and then headed to Australia for either the Sydney races or the Brisbane races. Just in 2017 Bonneval won with ease at Randwick after winning at Trentham.

One of those was Miltak who also took out an Auckland Cup and a BMW at Rosehill.

Savvy Coup won the Oaks with ease and in the Spring graduated to WFA to take the Spring Classic.

Opie Bosson has a top recent record winning four of them from 2000 to 2010.

The New Zealand Oaks was worth NZ$400,000 in 2020.

Notable winners of the New Zealand Oaks include Savvy Coup (2018), Bonneval (2017), Fanatic (2016), Boundless (2008), Princess Coup (2007), Legs (2006), Justa Tad (2005), Bramble Rose (2003), Savannah Success (1999), Tycoon Lil (1998), Snap (1994), Miltak (1993), Domino (1990) and Candide (1988).

The 2019 New Zealand Oaks was won by Sentimental Miss from Beyond The Fort and Star Karen.