Oaks Day, known to many as "ladies' day" is day three of the marathon that is Melbourne Cup week.
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Crown Oaks Day: Yankee Rose set to blossom
Racing editor Patrick Bartley previews Oaks Day at Flemington, the blue ribbon three-year-old fillies race set to be dominated by the Sydney galloper Yankee Rose.
This is the day of high fashion while on the track the best staying fillies race in the $1 million VRC Crown Oaks over 2500 metres.
This year favourite Yankee Rose will be an odds on favourite after her Cox Plate third to wonder mare Winx.
The Crown Oaks will this year start later than normal, at 5 pm, a concession to office workers taking a flexi day and in the hope of boosting crowd numbers, which have dwindled in recent years.
The essentials
Weather: Sunny, 22 degrees.
When's the big one: VRC Crown Oaks (2500m), 5pm.
Gates open: 10.15 am. First race: 12.45 pm. Admittance (Pre-purchase from Ticketek outlets): Adult $56.10. Pensioner $28.55. Student $48.95. Children under 16 free.
![Familiar names: Jameka and Damien Oliver win last year's VRC Crown Oaks.](/web/20161105010821im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/2/2/j/j/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gsgaui.png/1478119071056.jpg)
Getting there/away
Train: Services will depart every five to seven minutes from Flinders Street (platforms nine or ten) from 9.56 am to 12.59 pm, every 10 minutes from 1pm – 4.10 pm and stopping at Southern Cross Station (platform 14). Return service from Flemington from 12.32 pm to 9.01 pm.
![Andrea Moore](/web/20161105010821im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/q/s/m/t/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gsgaui.png/1478119071056.jpg)
Tram: No 57 tram from Elizabeth Street, then about a 10 minute walk to the racecourse.
Bus: Route 472 bus from Williamstown, Footscray or Moonee Ponds. Enter via Riverbank entrance. Route 404 from Footscray or Moonee Ponds to Smithfield Road, enter via Stables Drive entrance.
![Yankee Rose and Dean Yendall win the Spring Champion Stakes in Sydney, and she's favourite for the Crown Oaks at Flemington.](/web/20161105010821im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/x/x/w/s/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gsgaui.png/1478119071056.jpg)
Parking: Limited public space in the centre car park for $20 from 7.30am. Enter off Smithfield road at the Stables Drive entrance. Members parking in the unreserved car park must enter via Flemington Drive off Epsom Road. VIP patrons should refer to directions provided with their bookings.
Customer service: in the Flemington Community Information Hub near the main racecourse entrance , phone 1300 727 575, customerservice@vrc.net.au
Entertainment: Vera Blue (3pm – 3.40 pm), SAFIA (4pm -5pm), Illy (5.30 pm – 6.30 pm).
Food, drinks: The Park, on the hill near the railway station, The Fling Bar (level 1 Hill Stand), Celebration Deck (west lawn precinct) and a host of other outlets. Reserved set and dining packages are available refer www.flemington.com.au.Proof of age to purchase alcohol is required. Wristband marquees are located at turnstile and bar entry points.
Myer Fashions On The Field: In The Park, on the hill near the railway station. Women's registration times 11.15 am- 12.05 pm; for men 12.50 pm to 1.35 pm.
Official flower: Pink rose.
Tim Habel's best bets
RED ROCK PLATE (Race 1 No.5): Mount Omei, each-way
MOUNT OMEI is a promising Chris Waller mare who was unlucky not to win resuming at Warwick Farm. Promoted to second on protest, came from last on the turn and Flemington 1700m looks an ideal second-up assignment.
TCL STAKES (Race 5 No 13): EXOCET, to win
Has a great formline from Moonee Valley where she ran a close fourth in a Group 2 tracking along the slower inside section of the track. Just beaten by It's A Star who won the Group 1 Myer Classic on Derby Day and this field is virtually a Class 1. Jockey Dwayne Dunn just needs to be able to pop off the rails if the pattern suiting wide runners continues.
L'OREAL PARIS STAKES (Race 6, No 11): CLEARLY INNOCENT, to win
CLEARLY Innocent has been set for this as his target race for the spring. Worked home well over 1200m at his first Victorian run at Caulfield clocking second best closing 200m sectional to Illustrious Lad who won on Derby Day. The extra 200m suits, drawn to sit back and swoop home and that was winning pattern of racing on Cup day.
MUMM STAKES (Race 7, No.4): HELLBENT, to win
HELLBENT has had a 40 day break since a stunning Caulfield win thanks to a pre race leg injury mishap in his stall. He is drawn to track down the centre or grandstand rail and that has been the place to be over Cup week.
VRC OAKS (Race 8, No.1): YANKEE ROSE, to win
IMPOSSIBLE to go past class filly Yankee Rose for the fillies staying classic. On ratings she has six to eight lengths on her rivals, clearly none of her opposition could have run third to wonder mare Winx in the Cox Plate.
The Age quaddie
L'OREAL PARIS STAKES
Three main chances, Takedown (No 1), the likely leader, Federal (9) better suited back to 1400m, Clearly Innocent (11) set for the race and with the right draw. My numbers: 1, 9, 11
MUMM STAKES
LOOKS a match between Terravista (1), proven down the straight and with a great fresh record and Hellbent (4) who was breathtaking with a Caulfield win in September and a track and distance winner I January. My numbers: 1, 4
CROWN OAKS
CLASS fillies knock up winning the Oaks even if they can't truly stay. Yankee Rose is a Golden Slipper placegetter, but also boasts a Group 1 Champion Stakes win at 2000m and a Cox Plate third at 2040m. If you want some "insurance" add Eleonora (5) and Harlow Gold (7). My number: 1
CROWN RESORT STAKES
TOUGH Quaddie closer.
Hear The Chant (2), a last start Caulfield Group winner and NSW raiders Spright (4), Kentucky Miss (5) and Super Too (7) are all top chances.
My numbers: 2, 4, 5, 7
For a $20 outlay you would receive 83.33 per cent of a $1 dividend.