Driver choices shape Oaks market

THE big driver calls have been made.

The fact Saturday night’s $200,000 Group 1 NSW Oaks is one the best and deepest fields the race has seen, created some serious thinking for top Menangle drivers Cam Hart and Will Rixon.

Throw in some twists in the barrier draw and it got even trickier.

In the end, Hart has chosen star Victorian filly Arrhythmia over her Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin-trained stablemate Willows Girl.

It surprised Stewart a tad: “It was his call, I thought he might have gone with Willows Girl from the draw.”

Stewart confirmed Bailey McDonough would take the reins on Willows Girl, who stalked the leader and won her heat well last Saturday night.

Rixon had an even harder decision, especially after the barrier draw.

He drove Sam Hewitt’s star filly Ark Sea to win a heat and the regally bred Senses, a half-sister to the great Leap To Fame, to qualify in her heat.

“They’re both lovely fillies, but I was definitely leaning towards Ark Sea before the draw … then I couldn’t believe it when she drew the outside again,” he said.

“I took Tuesday night to think it all through and I’m still sticking with Ark Sea.

“She’s been fantastic to me and I go back to that run of hers when second to Loucasso in the Protostar last season. I don’t think many fillies could’ve done that.”

Blake Fitzpatrick picked up the drive on Senses.

The latest Oaks market has Arrhythmia $2.50 favourite from Willows Girl $4.60, Ark Sea $5.50, Sparkling Sea $6, Ripples $9, Senses at $12 and heat eye-catcher Alwaysbjoy at $14.

by Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing Australia