Triple assault on Oaks heats

CHAMPION horsewoman Emma Stewart will launch a three-pronged attack on the New South Wales Oaks this weekend.

Three heats of the Blue Riband will be conducted at Club Menangle on Saturday night, with the Victorian trainer boasting a strong chance in each qualifier.

Stewart is no stranger to success in the Group One, having captured the 2024 edition with Very Pretty.

Should all go according to plan, the trio will progress to next week’s $200,000 Final at the 1400-metre circuit.

Willows Girl will kick-start Stewart’s assault, with the daughter of Sweet Lou drawn barrier five.

Undefeated from three starts this season, including the Bathurst Gold Bracelet, Willows Girl is on the second line of betting at $3.30 with TAB Fixed Odds.

Runner-up in Bathurst, Ripples heads the market at $2.90 from gate six for trainer Luke McCarthy.

Following her Bathurst outing, Ripples returned home to New Zealand to score in Cambridge on April 10

“Willow has come back perfectly this time in and hopefully that can remain the case on the weekend,” Stewart said. “It’s not going to be an easy task, but she is up to it.”

Unbeaten from three starts since joining Stewart’s team, Ravishing Ruby is listed as a $5 shot from barrier four in the second heat.

Queensland raider Havtimetodream is the $2.20 favourite from gate five, with Ark Sea splitting the pair at $3.10 from 11.

The Sam Hewitt-trained filly slots into 10 with the removal of the emergency.

“This is a step up for her, but we’re confident she can take it,” Stewart said. “Like the first heat, it is a handy field and she’ll need to be at her best.”

Arrhythmia rounds out Stewart’s squad, with the daughter of Vincent facing a tough task from barrier nine.

Last season’s Victorian Two-Year-Old of the Year, Arrhythmia boasts eight wins and two second from 10 starts.

TAB Fixed Odds have the three-year-old as a $1.90 favourite despite her wide starting position.

Senses is considered the main threat at $5 from gate two.

“The draw is not ideal, but she is good enough to overcome it,” Stewart said. “As is the case with the other two, and I’m sure with every filly in the heats, the main objective is to qualify for next week’s Final.”