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The Group 1 Kennedy Oaks headlines day three of the 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival this Thursday at Flemington.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
The $1 million feature has attracted a field of 14 fillies with Godolphin's Zardozi holding favouritism with Ladbrokes bookmakers narrowly over Tropical Squall from the Waterhouse Bott stable.
Oaks Day is one of the great days of the Melbourne Spring Carnival and we've provided our top selections in each of the nine races below.
RACE 1 - 12:40PM: Group 3 Darley Ottawa Stakes (1000 METRES)
Harpalee (8) is on debut in the Group 3 Darley Ottawa Stakes for the talented Hayes boys.
The daughter of Alabama Express has tuned up for her first race start with two very nice jump outs.
She cruised around in the first of her jump outs before an impressive display of speed to win her most recent in good time.
Mick Dee has a terrific association with the stable and takes the ride.
RACE 2 - 1:15PM: TCL Trophy (1700 METRES)
Brazen Lady (4) was a tragedy beaten last start over 1400m at Geelong.
The Matthew Ellerton-trained four-year-old was full of running but did not get clear for the entirety of the straight, finishing sixth by just under a length.
Prior to that the Brazen Beau mare had finished in the placings three races in a row including a 2.5 length second to Wishlor Lass who finished sixth in the Group 1 Empire Rose on Saturday.
She's rock hard fit now and the rise to this distance looks ideal.
Damian Lane retains the ride and should be able to race in a prominent position from barrier 3.
1 Unit Each Way – Brazen Lady (4)
RACE 3 - 1:50PM: Good Friday Appeal Trophy (2000 METRES)
Hoops (13) is racing in great form with two wins from her past three starts.
The Danny O'Brien-trained mare ran on strongly to win three starts back at Seymour before again hitting the line to finish a half-length second at Murray Bridge.
Last start she looked to be held up in the straight at Moe but burst through to win well over the 2040m trip.
She's at peak fitness and loves this distance.
Ben Melham has stuck solid following her Moe win and should be able to find a position in the first half of the field.
RACE 4 - 2:30PM: Inglis Bracelet (1600 METRES)
Climbing Star (6) finished second in this race in 2022 and can go one better in this year's edition of the Inglis Bracelet.
The Phillip Stokes-trained Zoustar mare had no luck two starts back when held up in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes.
She bounced back last start when chasing Buffalo River strongly to finish second by 1.25 lengths in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes.
The rise to 1600m looks suitable now that she's at peak fitness fifth-up.
She maps to get a great run for Craig Williams from barrier 3.
RACE 5 - 3:10PM: Listed G.H. Mumm Century Stakes (1000 METRES)
Cannonball (2) is having his first race start since an ill-fated Ascot Racing Carnival in June.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained son of Capitalist capitulated after leading in the King's Stand before taking no part in the QEII Jubilee Stakes when dumping the rider out of the gates.
He's had two trials leading into this first-up assignment, showing excellent speed to win both.
The last time he raced up the Flemington straight, he finished 1.5 lengths third behind Giga Kick and Buenos Noches in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes last Spring Carnival.
He races well fresh and a bold showing can be expected.
RACE 6 - 3:50PM: Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final (1600 METRES)
Euphoric (2) was ultra impressive when resuming over 1500m at Geelong with a win.
The Greg Eurell-trained four-year-old gelding missed the kick by a length to settle at the tail of the field but demonstrated a blistering turn of foot to run down a handy field.
He'll strip fitter second-up and did win over 1400m here when having his second run back last preparation.
A strong tempo will aid his cause as will in form jockey Mark Zahra taking the ride.
RACE 7 - 4:30PM: Group 3 The Bachelors Red Roses Stakes (1100 METRES)
Cigar Flick (9) ran on strongly to win first-up over 1100m at Randwick but since then luck hasn't been on her side.
The Chris Waller-trained daughter of Churchill finished 2.15 lengths fourth to Stretan Angel in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes over this course and distance last start.
She should have at least finished third after suffering inference in the run.
That has proven to be a good form race with second placegetter I Am Unstoppable finishing second by 1.25 lengths in Saturday's Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.
She's rock hard fit now and gets the services of James McDonald in the Red Roses Stakes field.
1 Unit Each Way – Cigar Flick (9)
RACE 8 - 5:10PM: Group 1 Kennedy Oaks (2500 METRES)
2023 Group 1 Kennedy Oaks favourite Zardozi (2) looks ready for a peak performance in the 2500m test of stamina.
The James Cummings-trained filly impressed two starts back when running on strongly to win the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes over 1600m by 1.5 lengths.
Last start she worked home powerfully but just missed running down Amazonian Lass when finishing second by a nose in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes.
She was a month between runs so that run on Saturday will have topped her off nicely.
The speed map suggests she'll get a great run for James McDonald.
RACE 9 - 5:50PM: Cirka Trophy (1800 METRES)
Gregolimo (4) has been super since arriving at Michael Moroney's stable.
The former French galloper found the line strongly despite being held up to finish second by 1.5 lengths over 1640m here first-up.
He then gave a good sight in the Group 3 Coongy Cup when stepping up to 2000m but was run down late to finish third by just under a length.
The six-year-old gelding is set to peak third-up and will appreciate the drop in class.
Blake Shinn can give him a lovely steer from barrier 6.
