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VRC Oaks Day

VRC Oaks Day will take place once again on Thursday, November 3, 2024. It is also called the ladies day on the Melbourne Cup Carnival. The latest crop of three-year-old fillies have a huge task to stay the 2,500-metre distance at Group 1 level, and we have everything you need to know about the big day.

Race History

Much like the most famous race in Australia, the Melbourne Cup, the VRC Oaks horse race was first run in 1861. Initially a mile-and-half race, in 1973 it was moved to the metric system and is staged over 2,500 meters.

Since 1979, the Oaks has Group 1 status. As of 2017, the race title was changed due to sponsorship and is now known as the Kennedy Oaks.

VRC Oaks Day is a social highlight in Melbourne, much like the Melbourne Cup two days before it.

Barrier Draw Statistics

The final field barrier draw for VRC Oaks Day will be known three days before the race. Group 1 events at Flemington are often dictated by the barrier draw, meaning betting on the final field is influenced by these stats.

VRC Oaks Winners by Barrier

The barrier wins for the VRC Oaks over the past 10 years:

BarrierWins
10
22
30
41
50
61
72
80
91
102
110
121

Despite wide barriers being known colloquially as a major negative, the recent stats don’t back it up. There has been an even spread over the past ten years, with the 2,500-metre trip giving the fillies plenty of time to sort themselves out.

How to Bet on the VRC Oaks

Check out our form indicators and make your final selections. Once you know who you want to back, you have plenty of choices.

Win, place and each-way bets are the most popular although exotics such as Quinella’s, Exacta’s and Trifecta’s are all available.

Many bookmakers will be offering odds for this race.

Form Indicators

Given the 2,500-metre trip, the most important factor here is staying power. These three-year-old fillies are not the finished article, so a look at how they finish their races and a scan of their breeding is important.

In terms of top lead-up races, there are a few that stand out. The Ethereal Stakes, Wakeful Stakes and the Thousand Guineas are all good pointers to this event.

Check for stamina on the dam’s side of the pedigree, and don’t take too much notice of the barrier draw.

vrc oaks day

FAQ

The important questions answered about this year’s VRC Oaks Day.

The VRC Oaks is the highlight of Oaks Day, which is always the Thursday after the Melbourne Cup. The day takes place during the Melbourne Cup Carnival in November.

Personal was the winner of the VRC Kennedy Oaks in 2020. She was ridden by Damien Oliver for trainers Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes.

Oaks Day at Flemington takes place on Thursday, November 3, 2024. The final race time for horses and jockeys to line up has yet to be determined.

For more information about the days in the Melbourne Cup Carnival you can also look at these pages:

18+ | Please play responsibly | What are you really gambling with? | Terms and Conditions apply | Commercial content