HISTORY, FACTS AND STATISTICS ON THE $500,000 GROUP ONE AUSTRALIAN OAKS

* Prize money halved for 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic and reduced wagering income

HISTORY:

* First run in 1885 when won by Uralla

* Not run from 1895 to 1921.

* From 1922-45 run in January over a mile (1600m)

* From 1946-55 run at Easter over 10 furlongs (2000m)

* Won by some outstanding fillies including: Flight (1944), Evening Peal (1956), Wenona Girl (1961), Light Fingers (1965), Lowland (1968), Analie (1973), Leilani (1974), Surround (1977), Bounding Away (1987), Research (1989), Triscay (1991), Sunday Joy (2003) and Serenade Rose (2006), Streama (2012), Bonneval (2017) and Verry Ellegant (2019)

* Ten favourites have been successful in the past 25 years: Verry Elleegant (2019), Unforgotten (2018), Bonneval (2017), Streama (2012), Serenade Rose (2006), Wild Iris (2004), Grand Archway (1999), Danendri (1997), Triscay (1991), Research (1989)

* In 2015, Gust Of Wind inflicted the last defeat on Winx who went on to win her next 33 starts, 25 at Group One level

TALKING POINTS:

* New Zealand horses have won three of the past five editions, and will be represented by Probabeel

* Shout The Bar is aiming to emulate Verry Elleegant by winning the Group One Vinery/Oaks double

* Colette will be trying to become the first filly since Royal Descent in 2013 to complete the Adrian Knox/Oaks double

WHAT CONNECTIONS ARE SAYING:

"She has a mammoth task ahead of her and we'll just have to see if she can mount the challenge that is required. She comes into it looking as well as she did before the Adrian Knox" - Colette's trainer James Cummings

"I'm a racing traditionalist so I still enjoy these types of races. They're important. It would be nice to win one. I've had two runners in an Oaks and they've both run second" - Quintessa's trainer Mark Newnham

"I think Stick 'Em Up put her hand up to go for the race after the Adrian Knox last Saturday. She was was last on the turn and came home strongly for fifth so she warrants running. I know Aspect Ratio will get the 2400 metres which is a big bonus because that's the question with a few of them" - John Sargent on his two runners