The 2025 VRC Oaks, recently known as the Crown Oaks, runs on Thursday November 6, 2025, at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia and the TAB NZ have the expert VRC Oaks tips and predictions!
VRC Oaks Info
- 2025 VRC Oaks Date: Thursday the 6th of November 2025
- Track Location: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Distance: 2,500m
- Conditions: 3YO Fillies - Set Weights
- Status: Group 1
- Prize Money (AUD): $1,000,000
- First Run: 1861
- Reinging VRC Oaks Winner: Treasurethe Moment (2024)
Looking to bet on the VRC Oaks with expert racing tips and latest odds? The TAB NZ have all the insider insights to make informed bets on the VRC Oaks race this November!
Discover what makes the VRC Oaks one of the world’s leading horse racing events with TAB NZ.
Get your hands on the latest VRC Oaks odds and master tips to help you pick this year’s VRC Oaks winner. As one of Australia’s most famous horse races, the VRC Oaks attracts a star-studded field of young three-year-old fillies every spring.
Whether you’re a seasoned punter or new to the world of racing, our comprehensive VRC Oaks coverage will guide you through the lead-up to race day.
Bet with confidence and experience the excitement of the VRC Oaks with TAB NZ.
VRC Oaks (Crown Oaks) Fast Facts
- Last New Zealand-trained VRC Oaks Winner: Kirramosa (2013)
- Notable Fact: The VRC Oaks was inaugurated in 1861, the same year the first Melbourne Cup race took place.
VRC Oaks betting takes place on the time-honoured VRC Oaks race which is held at Australia’s Flemington Racecourse on the Thursday after the Melbourne Cup race every November.
It is considered the sister race to the Victoria Derby, open to both male and female three-year-olds, held at the same track and distance on the Saturday prior to VRC Oaks Day.
The fillies-only Group 1 VRC Oaks is one of the spring’s biggest feature races and has been run and won since 1861 when Palestine became the inaugural VRC Oaks winner making it as old as the esteemed Melbourne Cup race!
Crown currently sponsor the race and so it is officially referred to as the Crown Oaks.
From 2007 – 2016 it was run as the Crown Oaks for sponsorship purposes before being known as the Kennedy Oaks from 2017-2023.
Expert Tips on the 2025 VRC Oaks
Stay tuned for our expert tips and VRC Oaks betting predictions ahead of this year’s Group 1 feature at Flemington.
To Win: TBD
VRC Oaks Tips
VRC Oaks tips on what filly will win the VRC Oaks this year are highly sought after by smart punters and racing fans every season.
When looking at VRC Oaks race tips it is important to consider factors including:
- What fillies in the VRC Oaks field are proven over the distance?
- Who the key VRC Oaks trainers and jockeys are and what fillies they have in the VRC Oaks field this year?
- VRC Oaks barrier statistics and where your VRC Oaks betting selections are drawn.
- VRC Oaks fillies that come via a lead-up run in the Wakeful Stakes on the first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Treasurethe Moment (2024) was the last to do the double.
How long does it take to know if you placed a winning VRC Oaks race tip? The event itself takes just over two and a half minutes for competing fillies to run the 2500m trip depending on track conditions.
The official VRC Oaks winner and winning VRC Oaks trifecta are known shortly after unless there is a protest or a photo-finish VRC Oaks result.
What are the best VRC Oaks lead-up races to look at when placing a VRC Oaks bet?
The best VRC Oaks lead-up race for fillies each spring is the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) held the Saturday prior on VRC Derby Day.
The Wakeful Stakes – VRC Oaks double was last completed by Treasurethe Moment (2024) who was the 39th filly to do the double.
VRC Oaks Tips: Melbourne Fillies in the VRC Oaks
Betting on the Melbourne-trained fillies in the field is more and more popular as VRC Oaks tips favour the proven local stayers racing in their home state.
The Victorian based fillies are increasingly dominating VRC Oaks tipping and results.
Looking back over the VRC Oaks history and statistics shows that all five VRC Oaks winners from 2020-24 were foaled and trained in Australia. The last non-Australian-bred VRC Oaks winner was the New Zealand-bred Miami Bound (2019).
VRC Oaks Tips for a Trifecta
VRC Oaks tips for a trifecta cover the first three horses to officially go past the finishing post in the VRC Oaks results.
The horse to finish on top of the VRC Oaks trifecta is your VRC Oaks winner, the filly who outstayed all her rivals and finished in the fastest time.
Placing a VRC Oaks trifecta exotic bet on the race is a great way to add to the thrill and potentially be rewarded with a generous pay-out.
A VRC Oaks trifecta is only successful if the three horses in your bet finish in the exact order you predict. Punters may choose instead to box their trifecta bets on the VRC Oaks to cover more finishing options and increase the chances of winning.
Adding the favourite into your VRC Oaks trifecta bet is a top tip as the favourites have an excellent strike-rate in the race.
Key VRC Oaks Statistics and Insights
Place an informed bet on this year’s VRC Oaks by considering the following key statistics and insights:
- Win Rates: Horses with high win rates in similar races are strong contenders for the VRC Oaks. Our VRC Oaks betting tips available at the TAB NZ Punters Lounge provide detailed win rate statistics.
- Place Percentages: Evaluate horses with consistent place percentages, indicating reliability and competitiveness. VRC Oaks race tips offer comprehensive data on place percentages.
- Barrier Success Rates: Fillies starting from barriers 5-9 have historically shown a higher success rate in the VRC Oaks.
Bet on the 2025 VRC Oaks race now!
Past VRC Oaks Results
Recent VRC Oaks winners, jockeys, trainers, barriers, and weights carried to victory dating back to the year 2005 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner – Age/Gender
Breeding |
Jockey | Weight (kgs) | Trainer/s | Barrier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TREASURETHE MOMENT (AUS) 3F ALABAMA EXPRESS (AUS) – DRACONIC TREASURE (USA) STREET CRY (IRE) |
DAMIAN LANE | 56.0 | MATT LAURIE | 12 | |
| ZARDOZI (AUS) 3F KINGMAN (GB) – CHANDERI (GB) DUBAWI (IRE) |
JAMES MCDONALD | 56.0 | JAMES CUMMINGS | 5 | |
| SHE’S EXTREME (AUS) 3F EXTREME CHOICE (AUS) – KEYSBROOK (AUS) SO SECRET (AUS) |
TOMMY BERRY | 56.0 | ANTHONY CUMMINGS | 1 | |
| WILLOWY (AUS) 3F KERMADEC (NZ) – DEXTROUS (AUS) QUEST FOR FAME (GB) |
DAMIEN OLIVER | 56.0 | JAMES CUMMINGS | 2 | |
| PERSONAL (AUS) 3F FASTNET ROCK (AUS) – PERSONIFY (AUS) GALILEO (IRE) |
DAMIEN OLIVER | 56.0 | T DABERNIG & B HAYES | 10 | |
| MIAMI BOUND (NZ) 3F RELIABLE MAN (GB) – ARAPAHO MISS (AUS) DANEHILL DANCER (IRE) |
DAMIEN OLIVER | 55.5 | DANNY O’BRIEN | 7 | |
| ARISTIA (AUS) 3F LONHRO (AUS) – NAKAAYA (AUS) TIGER HILL (IRE) |
DAMIAN LANE | 55.5 | MATHEW ELLERTON & SIMON ZAHRA | 4 | |
| PINOT (AUS) 3F PIERRO (AUS) – DIZELLE (AUS) ZABEEL (NZ) |
S BASTER | 55.5 | G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT | 6 | |
| LASQUETI SPIRIT (AUS) 3F BENETEAU (AUS) – SUPRIYM STORY (AUS) GENERAL NEDIYM (AUS) |
B AVDULLA | 55.5 | L W CURTIS | 9 | |
| JAMEKA (AUS) 3F MYBOYCHARLIE (IRE) – MINE GAME (AUS) GENERAL NEDIYM (AUS) |
DAMIEN OLIVER | 55.5 | CIARON MAHER | 7 | |
| SET SQUARE (AUS) 3F RESET (AUS) – DYNASTAR (AUS) ZEDITAVE (AUS) |
HUGH BOWMAN | 55.5 | CIARON MAHER | 2 | |
| KIRRAMOSA (NZ) 3F ALAMOSA (NZ) – FREYJA (NZ) DANSKE (NZ) |
N RAWILLER | 55.5 | J G SARGENT | 10 | |
| DEAR DEMI (AUS) 3F DEHERE (USA) – SHIRLEY (AUS) ZABEEL (NZ) |
J CASSIDY | 55.5 | CLARRY CONNERS | 12 | |
| MOSHEEN (AUS) 3F FASTNET ROCK (AUS) – SUMEHRA (NZ) STRAVINSKY (USA) |
D NIKOLIC | 55.5 | R W SMERDON | 2 | |
| BRAZILIAN PULSE (NZ) 3F CAPTAIN RIO (GB) – SHARAZAD (IRE) TENBY (GB) |
CRAIG WILLIAMS | 55.5 | MICHAEL MORONEY | 7 | |
| FAINT PERFUME (AUS) 3F SHAMARDAL (USA) – ZONA (AUS) ZABEEL (NZ) |
M RODD | 55.5 | BART CUMMINGS | 9 | |
| SAMANTHA MISS (AUS) 3F REDOUTE’S CHOICE (AUS) – MILLIYET (NZ) ZABEEL (NZ) |
HUGH BOWMAN | 55.5 | KRIS LEES | 3 | |
| ARAPAHO MISS (AUS) 3F DANEHILL DANCER (IRE) – HAPPY HEART (FR) EXIT TO NOWHERE (USA) |
C W BROWN | 55.5 | P G CAREY | 5 | |
| MISS FINLAND (AUS) 3F REDOUTE’S CHOICE (AUS) – FOREST PEARL (USA) WOODMAN (USA) |
CRAIG WILLIAMS | 55.5 | D A HAYES | 6 | |
| SERENADE ROSE (AUS) 3F STRAVINSKY (USA) – ROSE OF TRALEE (AUS) SADLER’S WELLS (USA) |
STEVEN KING | 55.5 | D L FREEDMAN | 10 |
VRC Oaks Betting Info
VRC Oaks betting is open all season at the TAB NZ.
We offer pre-nomination VRC Oaks betting odds throughout the year that are known as futures VRC Oaks odds online.
All-In VRC Oaks betting markets are then available following the official VRC Oaks nominations taken the Friday prior to the race.
Betting on the VRC Oaks field is then available following final acceptances which close on the Monday of race week (Australian time).
VRC Oaks Field & Acceptance Dates
It is crucial to take note of when the VRC Oaks field is out, what time VRC Oaks nominations close and the official VRC Oaks acceptance dates when placing a VRC Oaks bet online as fillies may drop out of the race and bets may be cancelled.
The VRC Oaks field features a capacity of 16 horses with 4 emergencies.
See below for the official VRC Oaks field dates for 2025.
- 2025 VRC Oaks Nominations: Close on Friday, October 31, 2025, at 12:00pm (Melbourne time).
- 2025 VRC Oaks Final Field: Revealed on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 9:00am (Melbourne time).
- 2025 VRC Oaks Barrier Draw: Conducted on Monday, November 3, 2025.
Where can you bet on the VRC Oaks?
The best place to bet on this year’s VRC Oaks race is through the TAB NZ online.
VRC Oaks Odds
VRC Oaks odds and online betting tips on the VRC Oaks are dominated by proven staying fillies, the best out of the Wakeful Stakes, past Group 1 performers, and locally trained gallopers heading towards the event.
Where can I find the VRC Oaks odds?
For the latest odds and updates on the VRC Oaks, TAB NZ is your go-to source. They provide real-time odds fluctuations, ensuring you have the most current information to make informed betting decisions. It’s crucial to monitor these odds closely, as they reflect the market’s perception of each horse’s chances, influenced by factors like form, barrier draw, and track conditions.
How to Place a Bet on the VRC Oaks
Want to know how to make a bet on the VRC Oaks? Visit the TAB NZ racing page to access the latest VRC Oaks betting odds and options.
It is simple to learn how to place a bet on the VRC Oaks online.
You can place a VRC Oaks bet online anytime.
There are more ways than ever to get involved in betting on the VRC Oaks.
From seasoned punters analysing form guides to casual racing fans drawn to the excitement, the VRC Oaks is a race for everyone.
Whether you’re diving deep into the latest odds, joining a VRC Oaks sweepstake with friends, or simply enjoying the atmosphere of the spring carnival at Flemington, the VRC Oaks offers it all!
This iconic race showcases Australia’s finest fillies and attracts racing enthusiasts from all over the globe.
How to Bet on the VRC Oaks in 2025?
1. Log in or sign-up with TAB NZ.
2. Make a secure online deposit using one of the TAB NZ safe deposit methods.
3. Check out the VRC Oaks betting guide, VRC Oaks form guide and our expert VRC Oaks tips.
4. Choose a VRC Oaks bet to place such as Win, Place, Each-Way or the VRC Oaks Trifecta. There are many more VRC Oaks betting options available so make sure to check out our VRC Oaks betting markets.
5. Select the VRC Oaks filly you want to bet on from the early markets, VRC Oaks nominations or VRC Oaks field.
What are the popular betting markets for the VRC Oaks?
When it comes to betting on the VRC Oaks, there are a number of more popular betting options with punters including:
Exotics: These include Quinella, Trifecta, and First Four, where you predict the specific order of finishers, offering potentially higher payouts but requiring more precise predictions.
Win & Place: Bet on a horse to win or finish in the top places. This is one of the most straightforward and popular betting options.
Each-Way: A combination of win and place bets, providing a safety net if your chosen horse doesn’t win but finishes in the top positions.
What makes the VRC Oaks so special?
The VRC Oaks is the most prestigious race for three-year-old staying fillies each year in Australia. It is Australia’s equal-richest race for three-year-old fillies along with the autumn’s Australian Oaks. The VRC Oaks one of the key Group 1 Melbourne Cup Carnival races and takes place two days after the iconic Group 1 $8.56 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) on the first Tuesday of November at Flemington.
Australian and international racing fans, including those in New Zealand, tune into the world-renowned 2500m showdown every season to see if their bets on the Crown Oaks won!
The VRC Oaks, which gained its elite Group 1 status in 1979, currently offers A$1 million in prize money plus bragging rights with jockeys, trainers and owners across the globe all wanting to add their names to the list of VRC Oaks champions.
VRC Oaks tips on which filly will win the next edition of the event flood in as the countdown to the famous Flemington raceheats up.
The VRC Oaks field attracts a field of champion three-year-old fillies each season with runners coming from both local and, increasingly, international stables.
How many horses can run in the VRC Oaks?
The VRC Oaks field has a capacity of 16 starters plus four emergencies.
VRC Oaks race tips centre on proven young stars that have good lead-up form, fillies with previous experience at Flemington’s famous racetrack, and those with form over at least 2000m.
The VRC Oaks is a set weights race meaning all the three-year-old fillies in the field carry the same weight.
The highest-rated filly in the VRC Oaks field dons the number one saddlecloth.
Betting on the VRC Oaks
What makes betting on the VRC Oaks so popular? The fact that the VRC Oaks is the premier fillies’ race in Australia and one of the leading spring races held down under make it a must watch and must bet on horse racing event.
The VRC Oaks prize money may not compare to the stakes on offer in events like the A$20 million The Everest and A$10 million The Golden Eagle which are both held in Sydney over the spring, but it remains a highlight of the Australian racing calendar.
VRC Oaks Prize Money
The VRC Oaks prize money is set at just over A$1 million in total stakes allocated between first to eighth place.
How much does the VRC Oaks winner get? The winning VRC Oaks filly receives a total of A$600,000 in prize money.
See below for the official breakdown of VRC Oaks prizes on offer from the VRC Oaks winner to the eighth horse to cross the finish line in the official VRC Oaks results.
- First: A$600,000
- Second: A$180,000
- Third: A$90,000
- Fourth: A$45,000
- Fifth: A$25,000
- Sixth: A$20,000
- Seventh: A$20,000
- Eighth: A$20,000
Conducted by the Victoria Racing Club (VRC), the Crown Oaks is the crown jewel of fillies’ races at the Flemington track over the all-important Melbourne Cup Carnival and a highlight of the wider Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
The VRC Oaks has been won by a host of turf greats from mainly local Victorian horse racing stables.
How many international horses have won the VRC Oaks?
To date no filly trained in the northern hemisphere has won the VRC Oaks race.
VRC Oaks race betting traditionally focuses on the locally trained fillies and graduates out of key lead-up races including the Wakeful Stakes.
VRC Oaks history shows a number of fillies to return and win the following year’s Melbourne Cup race including Light Fingers (1964, 1965) and Evening Pearl (1955, 1956).
The only filly to complete the VRC Oaks – Melbourne Cup double in the same year was Auraria (1895).
VRC Oaks graduates may also return the following autumn to contest Sydney’s Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick Racecourse.
How many fillies have completed the VRC Oaks – Australian Oaks double as three-year-olds? 15 with Serenade Rose (2005-06) the latest.
For the best online betting on the VRC Oaks, consider tipping a horse to win both the VRC Oaks and another Group 1 race over the carnival in a spring double!
VRC Oaks Race Records
What is the fastest VRC Oaks winning time? Tributes set the current VRC Oaks record winning in 2 minutes 34.39 seconds in 2001.
Who is the longest-priced VRC Oaks winner? Lasqueti Spirit won at $101 leading all-the-way for her upset victory in 2016.
What Time Does the VRC Oaks Start?
The VRC Oaks start time is traditionally scheduled around 5:10pm (AEDT) in Melbourne.
- Queensland: 4:10pm
- New South Wales: 5:10pm
- Victoria: 5:10pm
- Tasmania: 5:10pm
- Northern Territory: 3:40pm
- ACT: 5:10pm
- Western Australia: 2:10pm
- UK & Ireland: 6:10am
- New Zealand: 7:10pm
- Japan: 3:10pm
- Hong Kong: 2:10pm
- Dubai: 10:10am
Note: Times listed are subject to change.
VRC Oaks Barriers
The VRC Oaks barrier draw and allocated VRC Oaks gates play a key role for many punters when deciding on what fillies to bet on in the big race.
When is the VRC Oaks barrier draw?
The all-important VRC Oaks barrier draw takes place on the Monday prior to the race along with the final acceptances closing.
Barriers have historically affected the VRC Oaks results with the distance and make-up of the course best suited to fillies drawn between barriers three and eight.
Which is the most successful recent VRC Oaks barrier?
Barrier 2 has produced four VRC Oaks winners since 2003.
Notable VRC Oaks barrier statistics to consider when placing your next VRC Oaks bet include:
- Barrier 12 is the latest VRC Oaks winning barrier with Treasurethe Moment (2024).
- Barrier 12 is the widest gate to produce a VRC Oaks winner in the past 20 years.
- Five VRC Oaks winners from 2004-2024 jumped from double-digit gates with Serenade Rose (10 in 2005), Dear Demi (12 in 2012), Kirramosa (10 in 2013), Personal (10 in 2020), and Treasurethe Moment (12 in 2024).
Breakdown of winning VRC Oaks barriers between 2004-24:
- Barrier 1 – 1 (latest She’s Extreme in 2022)
- Barrier 2 – 4 (latest Willowy in 2021)
- Barrier 3 – 1 (latest Samantha Miss in 2008)
- Barrier 4 – 1 (latest Aristia in 2018)
- Barrier 5 – 2 (latest Zardozi in 2023)
- Barrier 6 – 2 (latest Pinot in 2017)
- Barrier 7 – 3 (latest Miami Bound in 2019)
- Barrier 8 – 0
- Barrier 9 – 2 (latest Lasqueti Spirit in 2016)
- Barrier 10 – 3 (latest Personal in 2020)
- Barrier 11 – 0
- Barrier 12 – 2 (latest Treasurethe Moment in 2024)
VRC Oaks Betting Favourites
Favourites in VRC Oaks betting are those fillies that jump at the shortest VRC Oaks odds.
Last VRC Oaks favourite to win: Treasurethe Moment ($3.10 in 2024)
Last VRC Oaks favourite to finish worse than third: Gamay (5th in 2019).
Worse finish by a VRC Oaks winner (since 1983): Amphitrite (15th in 2018).
VRC Oaks favourites have saluted eight times from 2008-24 including most recently Willowy ($3.70 in 2021), She’s Extreme ($2.30 in 2022), Zardozi ($2.70 in 2023), and Treasurethe Moment ($3.10 in 2024).
The last VRC Oaks favourite to finish worse than third and miss out on a spot in the VRC Oaks trifecta was Gamay ($3.80) who ran 6.75 lengths back fifth to Miami Bound ($4.20) in 2019.
VRC Oaks Form
We offer a complete VRC Oaks form guide and expert analysis on every filly in the VRC Oaks field in addition to insider VRC Oaks racing tips and betting odds.
Our VRC Oaks form guides include:
- VRC Oaks race preview and predictions
- Racing analysis on the event and runners
- Previous runs, barrier trials and lead-up statistics
- Key information on all fillies in the race like trainer and jockey form
- Runner commentary
Whether you are just starting out tipping horses in the VRC Oaks or you are an expert VRC Oaks tipster, our form guide gives you all the statistics and information you need to make a smart bet on the VRC Oaks.
How to Read the VRC Oaks Guide
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how to interpret a horse’s form and performance indicators when looking at this year’s VRC Oaks form guide:
Barrier Position: Evaluate the horse’s barrier draw and its historical performance from similar starting positions.
Recent Performances: Review the horse’s last few races, focusing on finish positions and the quality of competition faced.
Track and Distance Records: Check the horse’s performance on similar track conditions and distances to gauge suitability.
Jockey and Trainer Stats: Consider the success rates of the jockey and trainer combination, particularly in the VRC Oaks race.
Weight Carried: Analyse how the weight carried in previous races compares to the VRC Oaks as this can impact performance.
VRC Oaks Day Betting
VRC Oaks Day betting is dominated by online VRC Oaks bets, but there are also a host of exciting support races that the TAB NZ offer top Flemington racing odds on.
The VRC Oaks is the only Group 1 event on the card, but the other Group status VRC Oaks Day race to check out our insider Flemington racing tips for is the Group 3 A$300,000 Red Roses Stakes (1100m).
Melbourne Cup Carnival
The Melbourne Cup Carnival is the biggest of the mini-festivals of racing held in Victoria over the spring in Australia with the four-meeting carnival providing all the best betting opportunities for punters.
Strap in each October and November as Flemington Racecourse comes alive across four days of heart-stopping racing kicking off with VRC Derby Day and headlined by Melbourne Cup Day on the first Tuesday of November.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival race meetings are:
Victoria Derby Day: Racing on the Tuesday before the Melbourne Cup is the day for racing purists with an all-Group race card featuring a triple-shot of elite level racing headlined by the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) for the best young stayers.
Melbourne Cup Day: The biggest and best race day of the year in Australasia! Racing on the first Tuesday of November down under is of course headlined by the ‘Race That Stops a Nation’ – the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) drawing the best stayers from all over the globe.
VRC Oaks Day: On the Thursday after the latest Melbourne Cup winner is revealed it is Ladies’ Day at Flemington with the meeting topped by the three-year-old staying fillies facing off in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m).
Champions Stakes Day: A huge day is then scheduled at Flemington on the Saturday following the Melbourne Cup with three Group 1 status events attracting all the best spring performers including the card’s marquee event – the Group 1 VRC Champions Stakes (2000m).
Get your Melbourne Cup Carnival bets on this spring at the TAB NZ!
VRC Oaks Results
The VRC Oaks results are known when the event takes place on the Thursday after the Melbourne Cup in early November with the race traditionally running around 5:10pm (AEDT) local time. The official 2025 VRC Oaks start time is 5:10pm (AEDT).
You can bet on the VRC Oaks race results nearly all year round with our futures VRC Oaks betting markets here at the TAB NZ.
Betting on the VRC Oaks results entails picking the VRC Oaks winning filly and we can help you place an informed bet on the VRC Oaks with our VRC Oaks tips and form guide.
Other VRC Oaks results include the winning jockeys, trainers, successful barrier and finishing time.
The complete VRC Oaks finishing order shows what position every horse in the traditional 16-horse field ran.
Some punters even like to place bets on what filly will finish last in the VRC Oaks results!
VRC Oaks exotic results show how all the exotic VRC Oaks bet types resulted like the VRC Oaks Quinella, VRC Oaks Exacta, VRC Oaks Trifecta, and VRC Oaks First Four.
VRC Oaks Jockeys
Securing a ride in the prestigious VRC Oaks field is a highly sought-after achievement for jockeys across Australasia. Winning this iconic race is the ultimate goal for many of Australia’s and the New Zealand’s top riders looking to cement their legacy in spring racing history.
What jockeys are riding in the VRC Oaks field is determined by the owners and trainers of the fillies, and official VRC Oaks jockey announcements are made in the weeks and days leading up to the race.
Damian Lane is the latest VRC Oaks winning jockey having ridden Treasurethe Moment to victory in 2024.
Who are the most successful VRC Oaks jockeys? Bobbie Lewis (Thunder Queen in 1896, Sweet Nell in 1903, Moe in 1912, Mint Sauce in 1913, Carlita in 1914, Rosanna in 1915, Furious in 1921) and Damien Oliver (Northwood Plume in 1994, Kensington Palace in 1997, Special Harmony in 2003, Jameka in 2015, Miami Bound in 2019, Personal in 2020, Willowy in 2021) both rode 7 VRC Oaks winners throughout their careers.
No female jockey has won the VRC Oaks to date but with Australia and New Zealand producing a host of champion female riders that could soon change!
Stay tuned to the TAB NZ racing blog to see what jockeys lock in a confirmed ride on one of the 16 VRC Oaks horses this spring.
VRC Oaks Trainers
The late maestro horseman Bart Cummings is the most successful VRC Oaks winning trainer of all time having prepared an impressive nine winners. Cummings was known as the ‘Cups King’ having prepared a record 12 Melbourne Cup winners and an impressive seven Caulfield Cup winners, but he also had a great affinity with the VRC Oaks. Faint Perfume (2009) was Bart Cummings’ last VRC Oaks (Crown Oaks) winner.
Bart Cummings-trained VRC Oaks winners: Light Fingers (1964), Sanderae (1970), Leica Show (1974), Taj Eclipse (1983), Tristanagh (1989), Weekend Delight (1990), Richfield Lady (1991), Magical Miss (2001), and Faint Perfume (2009).
The Cummings’ family trained three straight winners from 2020 – 2023 with the James Cummings-trained Zardozi (2023) and Willowy (2021), along with his father, Anthony Cummings’, victory in 2022 with She’s Extreme.
Matt Laurie is the latest VRC Oaks winning trainer having prepared Treasurethe Moment for her win in 2024.
VRC Oaks / Kennedy Oaks / Crown Oaks Winners
Iconic VRC Oaks winners throughout history include:
Auraria (1895): Ace staying filly who also won that year’s Melbourne Cup and South Australian Derby.
Evening Peal (1955): Classy filly trained by Peter Lawson who also won the then AJC Oaks and Melbourne Cup the following year in 1956.
Light Fingers (1964): New Zealand-bred star and Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee famous for her 1965 Melbourne Cup victory.
Surround (1976): Kiwi champion who won 12 of her 16 starts as a three-year-old including the Cox Plate in the same year as her VRC Oaks success as the sole Cox Plate winning filly in history. Made it an Oaks three-peat also claiming the Australian Oaks – Queensland Oaks double in 1977. The Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) in the autumn is named after her.
Rose Of Kingston (1981): Former Australian Horse of the Year and Australasian Champion Three-Year-Old Filly who would retire a three-time Group 1 winner going on to foal subsequent Melbourne Cup hero Kingston Rule during her career as a broodmare.
Research (1988): History’s only filly to complete the AJC Derby – AJC Oaks double a year after her VRC Oaks success.
Miss Finland (2006): Arguably the most famous VRC Oaks winner in history this champion bay won the Golden Slipper as a two-year-old before claiming the likes of the Australian Guineas and Memsie Stakes in 2007.
Samantha Miss (2008): Secured the Champagne Stakes – Flight Stakes – VRC Oaks treble in 2008 and went on to be sold as a broodmare for a then record of A$3.85 million.
Bet on the next VRC Oaks winner with our comprehensive VRC Oaks form guide and expert VRC Oaks tips at the TAB NZ!
This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team.