Oaks tips: Punters happy being on Malkovich

Brad Waters runs the rule over Thursday's VRC Oaks meeting at Flemington.

Sirileo Miss won at Group 3 level last time out. She drops back to open mares' grade with only 2.5kg above the minimum.

Just Benjamin won at Moe second-up. He moves into the right distance range on Thursday.

Malkovich has been well-backed and rightly so after last effort in Group 2 company at Caulfield. He never runs a bad race and the rain won't worry him.

SPINNING (Race 9 No.15 – $15) is an easy winner first-up and Damien Oliver goes aboard. Sydney sprinter Malkovich is a great chance to notch another Melbourne win at Flemington.

Vianello is big odds for a last-start winner at Caulfield. She's a good each-way chance at her current price.

J-Mac is the jockey to follow on Oaks Day. Ruru, Zing, SATIN LOVE, ESPIONA, WRITTEN BEAUTY, DAISIES, ROBODIRA and DJUKON are the other horses to watch.

Warrnambool races during the day on Friday before a Pakenham night meeting. The Melbourne Cup carnival concludes with the Stakes Day card at Flemington. Ballan Cup Day is at Geelong. Ararat Gold Cup and Arat Gold Bowl will be run on Sunday. Benalla will start the working week with a meeting on Monday before Hamilton fixture on Tuesday.

Malkovich is the favourite for Thursday's Oaks Day quaddie. Prezado is big odds but he can improve on his last couple of runs at Caulfield. WRITTEN BEAUTY has won down the straight and was scratched from a race on Saturday for this assignment. Starry Legend was solid at The Valley second-up and will be fitter again.

LEG 2: RACE 7: MY BOY BIRMINGHAM (5) will push forward in the Country Final. LEGEND OF ZORRO (1) was a game winner at Geelong and will be fitter again. TYPHOON HARMONY (12) comes out of the same race as Legend Of Zorro and won't be far away. HELLO BROADCAST (14) might be ready to win after two runs back from a long spell.

There are only four winning chances in this year's VRC Oaks. Willowy (2) is the top pick after her impressive Wakeful Stakes win. Daisy (3) was solid again in the Wakefully Stake and should be one of the hardest to hold out. Elusive EXPRESS (1) jumps from 1600m to 2500m but she's a classy filly that should go into the quaddie. GLINT OF HOPE (7) has a maiden but is racing well and bred to handle The Oaks distance.

SPINNING is the top pick for Thursday's quaddie. SERADESS is also a must for the quad. GLISTENING disappointed at The Valley last time out but was sound over this course two runs back. ROBODIRA did it tough out wide at Caulfield and didn't have much luck at the Valley before.

Punters are happy being on Malkovich. Skinnny quaddie is a tough quad. Prezado, Malkovich, WRITTEN BEAUTY, LEGEND OF ZORRO, RIOT AND ROSE, MY BOY BIRMINGHAM, and TYPHOON HARMONY are the runners in The Oaks.

Cavalla looks a great winning chance at double-figure odds. Hugh Bowman takes the ride.

The money has come for the James Cummings-trained Magic Carpet.

Magic Carpet came fourth behind Kiki Express on debut.

James McDonald takes the ride on Malkovich at Flemington on Thursday at 3.15pm. Espiona was heavily backed on debut at Warwick Farm and won by 3½ lengths. New York Baby has been backed from $9.50 into $7.