CAN VALLEY GIRL WIN THE $1 MILLION AUSTRALIAN OAKS IN SYDNEY ON SATURDAY APRIL 9TH

Valley Girl worked on the dirt track at Randwick this morning ridden by Alex Forbes. She stretched out nicely over the last 600m . The team are happy with her preparation and the Australian Oaks is her target. There was a lot of rain earlier in the week which may create similar footing to last weekend where Volkstok'n'barrell got bogged down in the Doncaster Handicap. Showers are predicted over the next 2 days that may help to loosen the track. Valley Girl won the Group 1 at Te Rapa on a surface that was falling apart from over watering and we are unsure how she will handle the footing at Randwick. She has been set for this race , her Vinery placing was a perfect prep and she will be hard to beat. She has drawn 10 and will be ridden again by Brett Prebble. Owned by D,L and S Hawkins and Llanhennock Trust. Good luck to the Hawkins family , most of who will be in Sydney for the race on Saturday. Hopefully Chris Gibbs and Donna Logan can win a second Australian Oaks for the stable, the last being Rising Romance who lines up in the Queen Elizabeth at Randwick on Saturday.

http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing/JO50529/Slow-track-not-what-the-doctor-ordered-for-second-day-of-The-Ch

Also on Saturday Candle In The Wind will race at Te Aroha in the Fibre Fresh NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes WFA F and M 1600m for $200000. She has drawn 12 and will be ridden by Matt Cameron. The 6 year old Darci Brahma mare is owned by VS Cronin, F Gianone, GS Racing Ltd, IR Gwyn, PD and PD Jeffreys, K Ozkan, and AB Skelton. Her last start was in the Windsor Park Stud Japan NZ International Trothy Group 2 on March 26th where she finished 4th on a Heavy 10 track. Hard to place as she doesn't like ground too hard or too wet. This should suit in a race that is full of depth . She can feature in the top 3 here.