Oaks Prospect On Show In Adelaide

An Oaks aspirant on the way up and a Derby placegetter on the way back highlight the weekend racing for Godolphin in Australia on Saturday, April 23.

Artesian (John O'Shea/Jamie Kah) continues a campaign that has been full of promise when she runs in the G3 Auraria Stakes at Morphettville, a race it is hoped will be a stepping stone to the G1 Australasian Oaks at the same track.

Placed at 1600m and 2000m in two runs in Melbourne last month, Artesian looks well suited at the 1800m on Saturday in a race in which she is opposed by an even group of fillies.

"She's shown us good ability all the way through and this level looks well within her range," said trainer John O'Shea.

"Last time out she ran on very nicely and was beaten by a couple of colts when third at Moonee Valley. That convinced me a trip across to Adelaide would be worthwhile."

Artesian is likely to join stablemate Asinara in next month's Oaks. O'Shea is also planning to run Tarquin and Unbreakable in the G1 South Australian Derby.

At Caulfield in Melbourne, Nozomi (Lee and Anthony Freedman/James Winks) is ready to have his first start since finishing third in the 2014 G1 Victoria Derby behind Preferment (pictured above).

The son of Street Cry is entered, along with his stablemate Java (Lee and Anthony Freedman/Patrick Moloney), for the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes and co-trainer Anthony Freedman said the stable is looking forward to seeing the horse back in action.

"He's had a few issues but we're hoping they are all behind us because he is a young horse with a lot of talent," Freedman said.

At his second last start Nozomi beat Preferment who has since won four Group 1 races and established himself as one of Australia's best horses.