Racing: Oaks attracts strong lineup

Ardmore trainer Stephen McKee summed up the $200,000 Wellfield Oaks field perfectly: "It's a lot stronger line-up than it looked like being three weeks ago."

And probably then some.

Zarzuela was not originally running.

Three weeks ago we didn't know A Chance To Dream was up to the best of them and there was a chance Keep The Peace might have been badly affected by being knocked around in the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic.

Now they're all there.

And they pretty much all rate Zarzuela the filly to beat, despite not paying a dividend in the $2.2 million Telecom Derby last start.

There is some justification for that - Zarzuela's Derby fourth was phenomenal, given she must have been close to 20 lengths from eventual winner Military Move at the 1400m and ended up being beaten just 2.75 lengths.

There will be a few who will go off her completely after Ellerslie, but most will see the slightly rain-affected track as having helped destroy the chances of a filly that in every way of measurement looks outstanding.

Which is why Zarzuela is the $4 favourite with the TAB and A Chance To Dream and Keep The Peace are at $5.50.

Zarzuela looked an Ellerslie specialist before the Derby, but the way she races with that driving finish, Trentham should suit her at least as well. The worry would be a track than was worse than good.

Rain on Wednesday saw the Trentham track officially rated a dead 5 yesterday, although the weekend weather forecast is good.

Having drawn gate No 1, compared with gate No 13 in the Derby, James McDonald should be able to take up a more forward position this time and be at least reasonably handy on the home turn to lodge his challenge.

Few can resist the Zabeel filly's thrust when in top form.

A Chance To Dream was nothing short of remarkable winning at Ellerslie on Auckland Cup Day.

The driving finish she produced to dash away by four lengths would be just about good enough to get over the top of this better field.

Along with Zarzuela, November Rain has always been a measuring stick among the fillies and A Chance to Dream left her in her wake last start.

"A decent track is what we're looking for," said trainer Stephen McKee.

This is a fascinating match-up of talent.

Market: $4 Zarzuela, $5.50 Keep The Peace, A Chance To Dream; $9 Adaline, November Rain; $12 Eileen Dubh, $16 Miss Sharapova, $18 Corsage, $21 Posavina.

WELLFIELD OAKS
* This is one of the best Oaks line-ups in a decade.
* Zarzuela remains the $4 favourite despite being beaten out of a place in the $2.2 million Derby at Ellerslie.
* A dry track is what many of the connections are looking for.
* Trentham was yesterday morning rated a dead 5, but a good weather forecast is likely to see that improve.