Oaks trial for Divertire in Adrian Knox

By Caryl Williamson

SYDNEY, April 12 AAP - For some horses, Saturday's Randwick meeting is a grand final but for others it's the chance to stake a claim for Group One glory in the following two weeks of the autumn carnival.

The three favourites for the features are all odds-on - Overreach in the Sires' Produce, It's A Dundeel in the Australian Derby and, of course, Black Caviar in the TJ Smith.

Away from the three Group Ones, vital lead-up races including the Adrian Knox Stakes, a traditional preview of Australian Oaks contenders, and the Doncaster Prelude, the winner of which is guaranteed a place in the famous mile free from penalty.

Dual Oaks-winning trainer Guy Walter is looking to emerging filly Divertire to justify a late entry fee for the Oaks (2400m) in the Adrian Knox, and he believes she will, but Jacquinot Bay will have produce something out of the box to join stablemates Streama and Appearance in the Doncaster a week later.

Divertire has had just four starts with her most recent netting a breakthrough win over 1800m at Randwick on Easter Monday.

"Divertire just needs to put in another strong performance to win and the owners will pay the late entry," Walter said.

"She came through her last start well and although it's a big step up, she deserves a shot."

Walter will also run Zuccotto in the Oaks in the hope she can realise her staying potential.

The filly's mother is La Zabaglione, a half-sister to 13-time Group One winner Tie The Knot who was trained by Walter.

So far she has registered just one win from 11 starts but made ground late in a 2000m race at Canberra last week.

Jacquinot Bay is a late bloomer who didn't begin racing until near the end ot his four-year-old season.

His nine starts have yielded six wins and a second but his past two when unplaced have disappointed his trainer who has opted for a gear change.

"The blinkers go on him," Walter said.

"He is an unlikely Doncaster starter unless he does something extraordinary. I'm thinking he looking more like a 2000-metre horse."

Jacquinot Bay's stablemate Skyerush also runs in the Prelude but is not a Doncaster contender with the Group Two Emancipation Stakes her Sydney mission before she heads to Brisbane for the Tatt's Tiara to try to improve on her second in the Group One race last year.