David Gately Horse Racing Tips for Oaks Day 5/11/26

The Melbourne Cup Carnival continues at Flemington on Thursday for Oaks Day, and leading racing analyst David Gately has identified two runners worth following on the nine-race program.

With rain forecast for Wednesday, Flemington could begin the meeting on a Soft track before improving throughout the afternoon if conditions remain clear.

The rail moves out to the +6m position after being +3m on Melbourne Cup Day and True on Derby Day.

The track raced fairly on Tuesday, although the inside section became chopped up and was increasingly avoided as the meeting progressed.

In straight races, Gately expects the preferred ground to remain well away from the inside rail, without runners needing to head all the way to the outside fence.

Gately's ratings have been prepared for Good and Soft conditions, with Sequinned his Bet of the Day in Race 7 following an outstanding Caulfield victory, while Cilacap appeals as his Best Value in Race 4 at $14.

 

 

David Gately’s Oaks Day Best Bets 5/11/26

Bet of the Day – Flemington Race 7 #3 Sequinned

Sequinned looks a very smart filly on the rise after producing an outstanding performance at Caulfield.

She was forced to cover additional ground against the prevailing track pattern but still proved far too strong for her rivals, racing away to record an impressive victory.

Adding further merit to the performance, Sequinned recorded a faster overall time than Group 1 and Group 2 mare Point Barrow on the same program.

Perhaps most encouraging was the manner of her victory, with her rider remaining relatively soft on her over the concluding stages.

That suggests there could be plenty more improvement to come.

Gately's Verdict: A very smart filly who overcame the track pattern and covered extra ground to win impressively. The standout Bet of the Day at Flemington.

 

Best Value Bet – Flemington Race 4 #3 Cilacap ($14)

Cilacap looks an attractive value opportunity at $14 after having little go his way in his two runs this preparation.

He resumed with an excellent performance after settling back and covering additional ground, having previously impressed with a terrific trial.

His second-up assignment came in Group 1 weight-for-age company last week, where he was never realistically in a position to threaten.

The drop back in grade on Oaks Day should be much more suitable.

Cilacap also produced a solid performance when third-up in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes during his previous preparation, providing further confidence that he's capable of improving at this stage of his campaign.

With a more suitable assignment and the potential to produce a stronger performance, his current price looks appealing.

Gately's Verdict: Better suited dropping back in grade after a difficult Group 1 assignment. Expecting improvement, and $14 looks a juicy price.

 

David Gately’s Oaks Day Best Bets Summary

Selection	Race	Runner	Price
Bet of the Day	Flemington R7	#3 Sequinned	Not supplied
Best Value	Flemington R4	#3 Cilacap	$14

For more Oaks Day racing tips, ratings and analysis from David Gately, visit The Great Tip Off.

 

There are loads of tips for today's racing in our Horse Racing Tips market at theGreatTipOff.com.