The phrase 'faster than an Oakleigh Plater' may have been entrenched in the common vernacular for many years, but raw speed wasn't the only trait possessed by the Oakleigh Plate's inaugural winner, Malua. This horse could jump like Mosstrooper, carry weight like Carbine and stay with a tenacious 'no such thing as last drinks' permanency befitting of George Best himself. Crossing Bass Strait from his native Doleraine when the thylacine - having not yet felt the cruel touch of the state government
The phrase 'faster than an Oakleigh Plater' may have been entrenched in the common vernacular for many years, but raw speed wasn't the only trait possessed by the Oakleigh Plate's inaugural winner, Malua. This horse could jump like Mosstrooper, carry weight like Carbine and stay with a tenacious 'no such thing as last drinks' permanency befitting of George Best himself. Crossing Bass Strait from his native Doleraine when the thylacine - having not yet felt the cruel touch of the state government's one pound bounty in 1888 - still carpeted Tasmania's forests, Malua claimed the first Oakleigh Plate heaving 9st 7lb (60.5kg) before taking the Newmarket under the same weight. Not satisfied there, this four-legged phenomenon would eventually add the grit and courage of a Melbourne Cup and a Grand National Hurdle to sit alongside his wind-burnt sprint titles. Unfortunately, horses like Malua have long since gone the way of the Tasmanian Tiger, with his impossible versatility proving to be just that: impossible for others to replicate; his alone for posterity.
The Oakleigh Plate often throws up unexpected results, and this year's instalment appears typically tough to sort out. And - again typically of this vexing fixture - tremendous value abounds for those willing to take the risk. As touched upon earlier in the week, Peter Moody's five card hand looks imposing from this side of the table, but with no clear stable pick, it's difficult to know if he's holding a royal flush or paltry deuces. I think Set For Fame ($12) might just be his best chance, given that she excels fresh, loves Caulfield, and has the outstanding negotiating services of Ben 'Dispute Resolution' Melham at her disposal.
As for the Blue Diamond, I'm not saying she can necessarily win (get the disclaimer in nice and early!), but surely Spectrolite is one of the better 100/1 chances you've ever seen?! Robbie Lang's filly is equipped with a very impressive turn of foot, and despite perhaps being better suited to 1400m, I'm more than confident she can run a cracking race and belittle her despised outsider's quote. Though not outstanding reading on paper, her sixth in the Blue Diamond Prelude - beaten 4.45L - was full of merit, motoring home after settling well back from a middle gate. Sepoy is a beautiful style of galloper who has acquired both lead-up races with consummate ease, and this exceptional son of Elusive Quality thoroughly deserves a first Group 1 (and the million dollar bonus that should be accompanying it!).
Throw in recently deposed (through no fault of her own, of course) Queen of the Turf More Joyous (her main opposition might just be the good weight-for-age galloper Mufhasa, whose on-tour exploits appear to have earned him the moniker 'King') and a cracking Hobartville Stakes in Sydney, and this shapes as another thrilling day's racing.