Hugh Bowman knew next to nothing about Daffodil when he guided the New Zealander to a dominant victory in the AJC Australian Oaks last year.But the top Sydney rider has a much better understanding of this year's Oaks mount Run For Naara as he looks to upset hotpots Faint Perfume and Valdemoro in the 2400m feature at Randwick on Saturday.Part of that understanding is knowing Run For Naara dislikes wet tracks, something she has come across both times this preparation when taking on her own sex.Bow

Hugh Bowman knew next to nothing about Daffodil when he guided the New Zealander to a dominant victory in the AJC Australian Oaks last year.

But the top Sydney rider has a much better understanding of this year's Oaks mount Run For Naara as he looks to upset hotpots Faint Perfume and Valdemoro in the 2400m feature at Randwick on Saturday.

Part of that understanding is knowing Run For Naara dislikes wet tracks, something she has come across both times this preparation when taking on her own sex.

Bowman has a big opinion of Run For Naara but also has plenty of respect for the favourites who dominate interest in this year's Oaks.

"There's no doubt they (Faint Perfume and Valdemoro) are going to take a fair bit of beating, they are two top-class fillies," Bowman said.

Bowman has ridden Run For Naara four times, beginning with an impressive victory in Melbourne last spring over 2000m when she actually defeated Valdemoro.

His two rides on her this preparation have been on wet ground in the Light Fingers Stakes and Storm Queen Stakes.

"I just think she's looking for a dry track," he said.

"The blinkers go on for this race and if she does get a dry track I think she'll show sharp improvement.

"She's a very good filly, she's just struck a wet autumn."

Randwick was rated a dead (4) on Friday afternoon.

Run For Naara's only two runs on tracks rated good this preparation were against the colts and geldings in the Group One Randwick Guineas and Rosehill Guineas.

She finished less than a length and a half from subsequent AJC Australian Derby winner Shoot Out when fifth in the Randwick Guineas and then ran another bold race, getting within two lengths of Zabrasive for third in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m).

If she does cause an upset, it will be Patinack Farm's second Oaks success this season after Small Minds defeated stablemate No Evidence Needed in the Australasian Oaks in Adelaide last month.

Faint Perfume is the $2.20 favourite as she looks to add the AJC Oaks to earlier victories in the VRC Oaks and the Storm Queen Stakes.

Only Research in 1988-89 and Serenade Rose 2005-06 have claimed that treble.

The Bart Cummings-trained filly defeated Valdemoro by a neck in the VRC Oaks and half a neck in a thrilling Storm Queen Stakes at Rosehill on April 3.