Matahga aiming to replicate success of Derby winners in Oaklands Plate at Morphettville Parks

News.com.au

6 days ago

The last two winners of the Oaklands Plate have since achieved Group 1 glory, and Saturday's race favourite, Matahga, is out to prove he's on that trajectory.
The impressive colt won the Racing Rewards 2YO Plate (1200m) at Murray Bridge last start, and is out to nail consecutive Oaklands Plate's for trainer Phillip Stokes, who saddled up last year's winner, Femminile.
Femminile pulled off a brilliant win in May's $1m SA Derby (2500m), while staying filly Coco Sun, also pulled off a Oaklands Plate-Derby double in 2023-24.
Matahga, a son of Tivaci, is only two starts into his career, but is giving the indication that he fits a similar mould.
'To be honest, I think he's shown more than Femminile, obviously Femminile improved a heap, so he's going to have to do the same,' assistant trainer Tommy Stokes said.
'He'll look at a similar path, he's got stayer written all over him, he settles so well in his trackwork and his races, he's going to eat up a bigger trip for sure.'
Matahga comes from a long way back & finishes the strongest in a promising maiden win ðŸ'¥ @pstokesracing pic.twitter.com/KEkgXqRNiP
— Racing.com (@Racing) June 14, 2025
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Matahga produced an eye-catching last 200m to run down his rivals in the Racing Rewards feature on June 14, after his debut outing saw him charge home for second.
'That was the race we wanted to win, leading into the first start we thought they were going to be way too sharp for him, but he really stuck on well and nearly won the race,' he said.
'He improved again second-up, we reckon 1400m is going to be perfect, the Parks track is probably not going to be to his liking, but the distance definitely will be.
'He's come through it (last start) really well, I think he's improved again, he'll run a real good race if he's not too far off them as they straighten up.
'He's one of our nicer 2YOs, and he's not just a 2YO, he's got scope, that's what is most exciting about him.'
Jacob Opperman has piloted the colt in his previous two starts, and will steer again on Saturday from barrier nine at Morphettville Parks.
'I think Jacob suits him well, he rode him on debut when Lachie (Neindorf) was in Victoria,' he said.
'He's started to help us out at trackwork on various mornings, and if he continues to do that he can keep the rides.'
Matahga impresses running away with the Magic Millions Racing Rewards SA 2YO Plate at Murray Bridge 🚀
Congratulations to the Brook family @GaryBrook18 | @RacingSA pic.twitter.com/KpzIDewJ8L
— Phillip Stokes Racing (@pstokesracing) June 14, 2025
Matahga ($2.80 Sportsbet) will be accompanied by stablemate Kazaru in Saturday's Oaklands Plate (1400m).
The filly, a half-sister to 2022 Adelaide Cup winner Daqiansweet Junior, is at the other end of the market, with an eighth-placed finish at Geelong her only start.
'She's improved a heap off her debut run,' Stokes said.
'She's obviously 100-1, so the form doesn't stack up, she was beaten a fair way.
'She'll appreciate distance and we are obviously trying to sneak black type for the pedigree.'