Retiring G.O.A.T. Damien Oliver will chase a fairy-tale win within the Group 1 $1 million Kennedy Oaks (2500m) on Thursday in search of yet another triumph aboard the Kiwi-bred filly Basilinna.

Retiring hoop Damien Oliver chases one remaining win within the 2023 Kennedy Oaks on Thursday at Flemington. Photograph: Final Racing Photographs.

Oliver will bid farewell to his glittering profession within the saddle on the finish of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and has been racing in terrific trend over the previous few weeks.

He will probably be hoping to roll that into the Oaks on Day 3 of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at headquarters when leaping aboard the Emma-Lee & David Browne-trained daughter of Saphanos, Basilinna.

Oliver has dominated the latest Kennedy Oaks outcomes using 5 of the previous eight winners with success aboard: Jameka (2015), Miami Sure (2019), Private (2020) and Willowy (2021).

His experience within the 2023 VRC Oaks discipline is likely one of the single-figure fancies at a present quote of $9.50 by means of Ladbrokes.

Basilinna has received simply one among her 4 profession begins so far however was good final day trip at a worth when third to Autumn Angel at Caulfield on October 21 at 30/1 solely two lengths crushed within the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m).

She is drawn for a run with barrier two on Thursday and is the sentimental favorite for Ollie followers.

Present favorite in Kennedy Oaks betting is the James Cummings-trained Zardozi at $3.

Favourites have a robust latest report within the occasion with six saluting from 2008 – 2022 together with Cummings’ champ Willowy ($3.70 in 2021) and She’s Excessive ($2.30 in 2022) final spring.

James McDonald, who additionally rides final 12 months’s hero Gold Journey for his Melbourne Cup title defence on Tuesday, companions the in-form daughter of Kingman from a pleasant barrier six draw.

The filly received the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) two again earlier than one other Flemington run on Derby Day when ending a brief half-head second within the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m).

Her final begin conqueror, Amazonian Lass, was good posting her upset win within the Wakeful and is at $9 to do the double on the short back-up for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott.

Tim Clark retains the experience on the Wakeful winner who’s drawn large out in gate 13.

The Waterhouse/Bott steady additionally saddle-up the principle hazard with Tropical Squall occupying the second line of Kennedy Oaks betting at $3.90.

She is drawn favourably with gate three for jockey Adam Hyeronimus and appears for an additional Group 1 after her Flight Stakes win over the Randwick mile earlier this prep.

Her newest begin had the bonny Prized Icon filly ending a half-length second within the Ethereal Stakes.

She carted 59kg from barrier 12 to go down the crushed odds-on fancy there and will probably be trying to kiss and make-up with the punters within the Oaks again to 56kg at set weights.

The Kennedy Oaks runs as Race 8 on the Flemington card for Thursday with a 5:10pm (AEDT) scheduled soar time.

2023 Kennedy Oaks Area & Obstacles

Desk Credit score: Racing Australia.