The Oakleigh Plate is always one of the most open races of the Autumn Carnival and we are set for another outstanding edition of the Group 1 feature at Caulfield on Saturday. A capacity field of eighteen sprinters will step out in the 2018 Oakleigh Plate and the depth of talented confirmed means that there is plenty of value to be taken from a betting perspective and at the time of publish, Russian Revolution is the $4.70 favourite. Russian Revolution is yet to taste anything but success first-up, but he undoubtedly faces his best task to date in keeping that record alive after drawing into the Oakleigh Plate field in barrier 11. Having resumed in 2017 for a smart win in the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m), the Snitzel entire could only manage mid-pack finishes in two subsequent starts in autumn and winter, but resumed in spring for an easy win in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m). Russian Revolution has eased slightly in the betting despite remaining on the top line and it is Hellbent that has so-far attracted the greatest share of bets to win the Oakleigh Plate on Saturday. Hellbent ($18 into $14) has been a strong and largely consistent performer throughout his entire racing career so far and will take his position in the Oakleigh Plate field with a commendable record of six wins and as many placings, from only twenty-one competitive appearances. Unlucky not to have posted a maiden win at the highest level having finishing an agonizingly-close second to Silent Sedition in last year’s Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m), the I Am Invincible entire didn’t come up in the spring and was sent to the paddock after running midfield in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m). Having worked home for fifth in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) a fortnight ago, Hellbent should take plenty of natural improvement into this race and will take a position behind the early pace from his central draw. Bons Away was a $26 shot in our early Oakleigh Plate betting market, but he has been another big mover this week and is now available at $12, despite drawing wide. The Bon Hoffa gelding experienced something of a meteoric rise to prominence in spring and won three-consecutive country sprints before producing an outstanding win in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m); beating home the likes of Brave Smash. Regular hoop Linda Meech has retained the ride on the four-year-old, who will carry only 52kgs in the Oakleigh Plate. Three three-year-olds will step out in the Oakleigh Plate and each of She Will Rain ($6.50), Catchy ($9.50) and Booker ($8) is a live chance. Golden Slipper champion She Will Reign resumed in spring for a dominant win amongst open company in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) and while she was sent to the paddock after failing to fire in The Everest (1200m), resumed for an easy win in the Inglis Sprint (1100m) a fortnight ago. Catchy won the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at this meet a year ago and she represents terrific value to emulate that performance and result in the Oakleigh Plate. The Fastnet Rock filly continued her smart form through spring; winning the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) and taking placings in all of the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m), Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) and Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) most notably. Booker is a multiple black type winner in her own right and resumed this time for an impressive win in the Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago.

Russian Revolution leads early Oakleigh Plate betting. Photo: Steve Hart