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famous three lap steeplechase course of the Great Eastern at Oakbank is arguably the
toughest in the country. It's an incredible achievement for a horse to win the race once
but some horses have made the course their own and these are their stories.  Doiran was one of the greatest jumpers to even
conquer Oakbank. His first victory came in September 1916 in a Hurdle at Mount Gambier.
The following autumn he won a Naracoorte Hurdle before heading to Oakbank, making his
debut in the Amateur Steeplechase in 1917 where he finished second to Terowie. Sired by
the Adelaide Cup winner Sojourner, Doiran was raced by M Mullins and had his jumping
origins in the hunting field turning to racing as an aged horse. Doiran then won a Steeple
at Morphettville in May and another at Victoria Park a month later. The following February
Doiran won a Steeplechase over 2 miles at Morphettville before returning to Oakbank for
the 1918 Great Eastern Steeplechase ridden by JH Neale on April 1. Carrying the steadier
of 10.6 (66kg) Doiran was one of three chances on the final lap. After jumping the
original fallen log Doiran started to draw away in the lead in the downhill run to the
home turn. Over the last fence Doiran was 15 lengths in front and on landing safely raced
to an easy victory from Artillery Bill and Hawking.
A year later Doiran was back to defend his title with a new
jockey, EJ Mooney. Despite rising to 11.4 (72kg) in weight Doiran repeated his effort of
1918 taking the lead after the log on the downhill run to the turn. Flying over the final
fence Doiran raced to the post winning easily by seven lengths from Wyreena with
Ferrignite third.
Doiran was missing from Oakbank in 1920 and 1921 as he took
on the Melbourne racing scene. Racing successfully he was placed third in the 1920 Grand
National Steeple while conceding weight to the winner Lolaus and repeated the placing in
1921. Doiran then won the August Steeple at Flemington by eight lengths carrying 10.12 and
the Victoria Steeple over 3 miles and 1 furlong at the Melbourne Cup Carnival by 4 lengths
carrying 11.3 before returning to South Australia.
In 1922 Doiran to the delight of fans returned to Oakbank
to attempt a third win in the Great Eastern. Carrying 12.4 (78kg) and again ridden by EJ
Mooney Doiran was again too strong. Over the final fence he passed Epictetus to race clear
winning by 2 ½ lengths. The following year Doiran was given 12.7 (79kg) in his attempt to
create history. Ridden by HC Campbell Doiran put in another dashing display to be six
lengths clear over the last and passed the post in front by 5 ½ lengths from Coryota with
20 lengths to Manorway third. Doiran had bettered Vanguard's weight carrying record for
the 20th Century and remains the highest weighted horse to win the Great Eastern. After
his victory Doiran headed to Victoria for the Grand Annual at Warrnambool which he duly
won by 7 lengths carrying 11.6.
In 1925 Doiran was due to try for his fifth attempt at the
Great Eastern but a leg problem resulted in his scratching. To the joy of crowds Doiran
made a guest appearance on raceday being led at a canter past the stands by a clerk of the
course in his farewell to Oakbank. Overall Dorian had 56 race starts recording 2 wins and
2 placings over the hurdles before turning to steeplechasing for 10 wins and 11 placings.
 The Feline captured the imagination of
racegoers with his tiny stature but giant heart in taking on the huge solidly built
steeplechase fences. Owned by W Graham and trained by W McKay, The Feline (by Solar Bear)
came to prominence in 1948 when he first attempted the Great Eastern course. Carrying 11.0
(70kg) the small jumper flew around the course to win by 25 lengths from Biblical with
Surefoot (best known as the horse that started the career of Colin Hayes) in third place
50 lengths away. The Feline recorded a record time of 6 min 9 ½ seconds for the 3 ¼ mile
trip.
After his Great Eastern victory The Feline went on to win
the VRC Grand National Hurdle and was second in the AV Hiskens Steeplechase at Moonee
Valley. He was again second in the AV Hiskens Steeplechase in 1949 and went to Warrnambool
in 1950 to win the Grand Annual Steeplechase.
Returning to Oakbank in 1951, The Feline was asked to carry
11.7 (73kg) in his attempt for a second win. In sweltering conditions The Feline hit the
first fence and all but fell resulting in cuts to his shins but he continued in the race.
He made steady ground throughout to chase the leader Lupins on the final lap. With two
fences left The Feline hit the lead and despite Lupins fighting back strongly eventually
overcame his rival to win with the 1950 winner Parilla's Pride in third place. The Feline
was featured jumping the fallen log on the cover of the Great Eastern Steeplechase meeting
racebook in late 1970s.
 The New Zealand bred galloper
Koorashalli (by Golovine) was owned by HL Cornell and was a member of the Colin Hayes
stable. The best of his early form was a second over 10 furlongs (2000m) at Strathalbyn at
his fourth start but it was over the fences where his future lay. Koorashalli had his
first jumps start in a Trial Hurdle at Murray Bridge in March 1964 where he recorded his
first race victory. It was then to Oakbank and the Mount Barker Hurdle but he made a
mistake and fell as Harcourt went on to victory. Koorashalli then won a Trial Brush Hurdle
at Balaklava, was placed in the Devon Hurdle at Cheltenham and returned to the winners
list in the Gallipoli Hurdle at Morphettville on Anzac Day. After another second a fall
seemed to dent his confidence as he finished fourth at his next two starts. A return to
winning at Victoria Park in the Civic Hurdle and a placing at Morphettville paved the way
for a trip to Melbourne where he was unplaced behind Harcourt at Moonee Valley. After a
let up Koorashalli lost his rider in the Hampstead Hurdle and was unplaced in the Grand
National Hurdle at Victoria Park. Spelled until the autumn of 1965 Koorashalli returned to
form with a second in the Athenaeum Hurdle at Victoria Park and it was then back to
Oakbank for the feature races. Koorashalli won the Von Doussa Steeple well but drifted in
betting as the more seasoned jumpers firmed. Lack of experience made no difference as
Koorashalli raced away to win the Great Eastern Steeplchase by eight lengths from the
favourite First Shuffle with Grecian Valour third. After his two victories Koorashalli
headed to Melbourne for an attempt at the Grand National Hurdle at Flemington. He was
third in the Marlborough Hurdle at Flemington but was pulled up during the running of the
Grand National and then went for a break.
He returned to Oakbank in 1966 and was assigned 10.10
(68kg) for the Great Eastern. Twelve fences from home he took the lead and drew away from
the opposition to win by 15 lengths from Maple Star with Patriot third. In winning
Koorashalli became the highest stakes earning jumper in South Australia. In 1967
Koorashalli was attempting to win his third successive Great Eastern Steeplechase. Sent
out as the 2/1 favourite he was traveling well until he clipped the second fence and
crashed to the turf with Con-Sol going on to victory. The fall is thought to have affected
his confidence as Koorashalli was never as dominant again. He returned to Oakbank in 1968
but was never a threat in finishing well back in the field in his final season of racing.
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two.
All three pics courtesy of Oakbank Racing
Club. |
