Returning: Adelaide Autumn Carnival

Seven covers the Adelaide Autumn Carnival today with Oaks Day at Morphettville, plus live action from Hawkesbury and Sandown Hillside.

Bruce McAvaney will again lead the commentary team, joined by Jason Richardson (pictured), Michelle Payne and Henry Dwyer.

The Adelaide Autumn Carnival is one of the annual highlights on the Australian racing calendar, and Morphettville will come alive on Saturday when the Group 1 Australasian Oaks and Robert Sangster Stakes headline a glittering day of thoroughbred racing.

Some of the nation’s best fillies will take centre stage in the Australasian Oaks (2000m), where rising star Steinem looms as the horse to beat. However, unbeaten Tasmanian fan favourite Hela will be looking to extend her streak of seven consecutive wins in her first start on the mainland, and impressive last-start winner Brookspire is aiming to give master trainer Chris Waller back-to-back Oaks wins after Toffee Tongue’s 2020 victory.

In the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m), the powerhouse Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable has a strong hand with mares Sisstar – shooting for her fourth win in a row – and Pretty Brazen. But Instant Celebrity is returning to the form that saw her win the Tranquil Star Stakes last spring, while last year’s runner-up Lyre and Mizzy – still striving for her maiden Group 1 win after second-place finishes in the Canterbury Stakes and Coolmore Classic – also loom as genuine contenders.

Saturday’s live and free coverage will also include plenty of quality thoroughbred action from Hawkesbury Gold Cup Race Day and Sandown Hillside Race Day.

At Hawkesbury, the Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup, Hawkesbury Guineas and Hawkesbury Crown are the major races on an outstanding race day boasting total prizemoney of $1.3 million.

Morphettville – Oaks Day
Hawkesbury – Hawkesbury Gold Cup Race Day
Sandown Hillside – Sandown Hillside Race Day
Saturday 12.00pm AEST on Channel 7, 7two and 7plus