Imagine the roar of the crowd at Flemington Racecourse, where a single gallop can turn a horse into a legend and leave punters buzzing for weeks. That's the electric atmosphere surrounding the 2025 VRC Crown Oaks, a prestigious race for three-year-old fillies that's set to captivate racing enthusiasts everywhere—but what if the star of the show isn't the one everyone's betting on? Stick around, because this year's edition is shaping up to be a nail-biter, with a red-hot favorite facing some intriguing challengers. And trust me, if you're new to horse racing, this is your perfect entry point to understand why form guides, odds, and expert tips can make or break your excitement (or your wallet)!
First off, let's dive into the main event: the Crown Oaks itself. Scheduled for Thursday afternoon, this classic race is all about testing the mettle of young female thoroughbreds over a grueling distance. At the heart of it all is Getta Good Feeling, the horse that's got everyone talking. Trained by the talented Danny O'Brien, she stormed to victory in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes just a few days ago, showcasing a commanding performance that had pundits nodding in approval. For beginners wondering what that means, think of the Wakeful Stakes as a warm-up sprint—a key prep race that gives us clues about a horse's readiness for bigger challenges. You can catch up on the full details from that race right here: Melbourne Cup 2025 Barrier Draw Live: Victoria Derby Day Field Results.
But here's where it gets controversial... Is Getta Good Feeling's win as solid as it seems? Form expert David Gately, a trusted voice in the racing world, is sounding a note of caution. While he concedes that her odds of $1.80 (with a place bet at $1.18) are fair—especially with superstar jockey Mark Zahra back in the saddle for the third time—he describes her Wakeful triumph as somewhat 'soft.' What does that mean? In simple terms, it suggests the competition might not have been as tough as expected, leaving room for doubt about whether she's ready to dominate against a stronger field. Gately puts it this way: 'It's been a reliable race over the years, and her form leading into it is solid, but that win felt a bit easy, and she's still figuring out her full potential.' With a career record of two wins, one second, and three thirds from six starts, Getta Good Feeling has the racing world watching closely. She's not perfect yet, but she's earned her status as the betting favorite—and boy, will she be tough to beat!
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Now, Gately isn't one to put all his eggs in one basket. He highlights a couple of other contenders that could shake things up, offering value for those willing to look beyond the favorite. 'Classic Gem catches my eye,' he shares, pointing out her appeal at odds around the $21 mark (with $4 for a place). 'I was impressed by her effort in the Caulfield race, even from a wide draw—she held her own against the rails-runners. Plus, you can link that performance directly to the favorite's form, making her a smart pick for anyone seeking an upset. She's not a sure thing, but at those odds, she's worth a flutter!' This is the part most people miss: In racing, value bets like this can turn a modest stake into a big payday, especially if the favorite falters. And let's not forget Strictly Business, who finished a close second in the Wakeful Stakes, just 1.3 lengths behind Getta Good Feeling. Gately notes her potential for growth, saying, 'She ran well second-up that day, and there's real upside here—she intrigues me for that reason.' Her odds sit at $10 ($2.60 place), positioning her as another solid alternative.
To give you the full picture, here's David Gately's top tips for the race:
12 - CLASSIC GEM: His pick for an upset, drawn by the value and her recent strong showing.
1 - GETTA GOOD FEELING: The obvious top choice, despite any lingering doubts.
7 - STRICTLY BUSINESS: A promising runner with room to improve.
And this is where opinions might clash—some might argue that sticking with the favorite is the safe play, given her impressive record and top jockey. But what if Gately's 'soft win' critique hints at a vulnerability? Could it be that the pressure of being the odds-on leader affects her, or is it just expert nitpicking? These debates are what make racing so addictive, and I'd love to hear your take: Is an underdog like Classic Gem the dark horse to watch, or will Getta Good Feeling prove her dominance? Do you agree with Gately's caution on the favorite, or think it's overblown? Share your thoughts, predictions, or even your own betting strategies in the comments below—we're all in this together!
For the complete rundown, here's the full field of competitors, with odds courtesy of TAB as of Wednesday, November 5, at 11am. Each horse carries 56kg, as is standard for the race, and I've included their trainer, jockey, career stats (wins-places-shows), and odds for a win and place:
Getta Good Feeling (Barrier 4): Trainer: Danny O'Brien; Jockey: Mark Zahra; Career: 6 starts with 2 wins, 1 place, 3 shows; Odds: $1.80 / $1.18. (The one everyone's talking about!)
The Pearls (Barrier 12): Trainer: Chris Waller; Jockey: James McDonald; Career: 7 starts with 1 win, 2 places, 2 shows; Odds: $8.50 / $2.30.
Spicy Lu (Barrier 7): Trainer: Nick Olive; Jockey: Nash Rawiller; Career: 8 starts with 4 wins, 0 places, 0 shows; Odds: $9.50 / $2.50.
Just A Journey (Barrier 10): Trainer: Michael Freedman; Jockey: Damian Lane; Career: 8 starts with 3 wins, 3 places, 1 show; Odds: $9 / $2.40.
Ethereum Girl (Barrier 3): Trainer: B, W & J Hayes; Jockey: Jamie Melham; Career: 7 starts with 2 wins, 1 place, 0 shows; Odds: $18 / $3.90.
Sheeza Diva (Barrier 11): Trainer: M & D Kearney; Jockey: Rachel King; Career: 11 starts with 1 win, 0 places, 1 show; Odds: $31 / $6.
Strictly Business (Barrier 13): Trainer: Thomas Carberry; Jockey: John Allen; Career: 3 starts with 1 win, 1 place, 0 shows; Odds: $10 / $2.60.
After Summer (Barrier 2): Trainer: Dominic Sutton; Jockey: Billy Egan; Career: 4 starts with 1 win, 0 places, 1 show; Odds: $31 / $6.
Zouclare (Barrier 1): Trainer: Ciaron Maher; Jockey: Ethan Brown; Career: 6 starts with 0 wins, 2 places, 0 shows; Odds: $101 / $16.
Voting Rights (Barrier 5): Trainer: G Waterhouse & A Bott; Jockey: Jordan Childs; Career: 5 starts with 1 win, 0 places, 2 shows; Odds: $31 / $6.
Morisu Ojo (Barrier 8): Trainer: Ciaron Maher; Jockey: Craig Williams; Career: 6 starts with 1 win, 0 places, 0 shows; Odds: $126 / $18.
Classic Gem (Barrier 9): Trainer: Wendy Kelly; Jockey: Ben Allen; Career: 5 starts with 0 wins, 1 place, 1 show; Odds: $21 / $4.
Janey Bopper (Barrier 6): Trainer: Andrew Bobbin; Jockey: Harry Coffey; Career: 3 starts with 0 wins, 0 places, 1 show; Odds: $151 / $22.
For more racing drama, check out these related reads: 'Brave' moment that etched Melham's name into Cup folklore, Superstar jockey rocks Cup day with nasty race fall, and 'Tears in my eyes': Payne reacts to 'surreal' Cup win. Whether you're a seasoned bettor or just here for the excitement, the Crown Oaks could be the race that surprises us all. Who's your pick?
