Jenny
Barnes

Oakbank
2002

29/03/02 Oakbank - Saturday Preview

Race 1 - Adelaide Bank Hcp abt 1050m

This race for 2yos brings together a promising group with . Eternal Desire (Euclase-Star Froth) debuted with a win last November at Cheltenham, was then spelled and is resuming here. In her first start Eternal Desire defeated future stakeswinner Flawed Logic and Tony McEvoy has tasted success in this event winning last year with Eyes on Success. Troll (Magic Ring-Grecian Dream) is another with a very strong chance. From the Leon McDonald stable this gelding was a winner two runs back and ran well behind all the way winner Gold Anthem at Cheltenham last start. Miss Schacci (Rory's Jester-Schatzi) could also figure in the results after a promising second at her first run from a spell. A member of the Peter Jolly stable she led until straightening last start and while no match for the winner was four lengths clear of the rest of the field. Slick Magic (Danzig Connection-Shining Icon) from the D Taylor stable may also show up. He was very impressive in early trials before becoming stirred up at his raceday debut at Victoria Park. Sixth behind Wyndam Glory he was then freshened for a fourth behind Eternal Desire before spelling. Slick Magic has also had Oakbank experience in running a close third in a barrier trial recently at the track. Make Me A King (Rory's Jester-Market Fair) is bred to be anything and is the query runner of the race. Having his first start for new trainer Alan Bailey this colt has barrier trialled with success and raced, finishing third at Randwick, in Sydney.

Race 2 - Dicksons Limited Sharebrokers Hurdle (Div 1) 2900m

The first of the jumps racing at Oakbank brings together a very young group of jumpers. Yallah Limit a veteran of 5 starts is the most experienced and with two wins and two placings would have to be a strong chance in the race. The John Wheeler stable has its first entrant for the carnival here in Wilson Road. Two jumps starts for two placings for a third to Yallah Limit last start at Kyneton and a second four starts back to Mystic Outlaw make him a strong fancy here. A newcomer to hurdling from the Lee Freedman stable is Family Favourite. Winning four of 22 on the flat he won a recent Oakbank trial by six lengths from What a Mess. Another Oakbank trial winner this week was City of Gold a member of the Eric Musgrove stable. He made his jumping debut last month at Mornington where he led around the turn only to be run down by Our Grades near the line before winning on the flat last start.

Race 3 - Dicksons Limited Sharebrokers Hurdle (Div 2) 2900m

Another group only starting their jumping careers. Millenium Dancer from the David Brideoake stable has had one start over the jumps for a fourth to Covet Cross in the Winterset Hurdle at Sandown and has shown ability on the flat with three race victories. Another member of the Lee Freedman stable is Joe Bananas who has also shown flat ability before turning to hurdles with his most recent run a fifth in the Winterset Hurdle finishing alongside Millenium Dancer. Joe Bananas trialled at Oakbank earlier this week finishing a half length second to City of Gold. Tony McEvoy trained Lance Corporal is sure to be one of the favourites after running an impressive jumping debut second to Mascagni (winner of this race last year) at Gawler recently. He looked set to win a hurdle trial at Oakbank earlier this week before mis timing the final jump and taking a harmless tumble.

Race 4 - Four 'n' Twenty Hcp (Div 1) abt 1400m

Jack of Spades prepared by Mark Lewis has shown plenty of ability with three wins and 8 placings from 25 starts and after defeating the promising Away With Fairies last start at Strathalbyn is finding form at the right time for this race. Away With Fairies after winning twice at the provincials has been trying to line up in town but has been a late scratching twice after suffering from a boil. She finally returned to racing last start failing to run down the leader by a neck. Rations has been performing well without breaking through with his previous start and close fifth at Cheltenham last week when Double Legend won from a blanket finish for placings. Rations has also proved he handles the tricky Oakbank circuit with a third at the course in the past. Locally trained So May It Be has returned from Port Lincoln after winning three of four starts there in the past few months while Zip Thea performed well running second in a recent trail at Oakbank and raced at stakes level during her previous campaign.

Race 5 - The Shillabeer Plate 1100m

Brinkley Lass is returning in an attempt to win her second Shillabeer Plate after winning the race in a close finish in 2000. Recently she has been second at Edenhope and met with no luck last week at Cheltenham when 7th behind John's Brother. Grand campaigner Sunbury won't know himself carrying 51kg after lumping 59.5kg and 59 when winning at Broken Hill and Port Lincoln respectively at his two previous starts. A winner of 14 of 36 starts win 7 placings Sunbury has recently joined the stable of Ron Campbell at Gawler. Bordertown trained Los Torneros had consistent form before finally breaking through at Edenhope last starts. 12 starts over the 1100m journey has resulted in two wins and four placings. Souplesse is visiting from Victoria and is expected to perform well after running fifth behind Noble Sun at Sandown. Chalonaise from Lindsay Park should be ready for a strong showing after finishing third to Rich Ruby Red at a recent Moonee Valley night meeting.

Race 6 - Carlton Draught Hcp 1100m

Classic Status broke her maiden in impressive style last start at Cheltenham. Finishing strongly she easily swamped Cullen Bay to win by a length and is superbly bred being by Marscay from Twitter. Seek The Silk has been campaigning well in country Victoria before heading to SA for this race now with Dan O'Sullivan at Morphettville. Lightly raced Identifiable continues to go through the grades after he won his first start at Kingscote before running second at Clare beaten a nose. Previously he had run second in a barrier trial at Victoria Park where city winner Victorix was fourth. Other chances could be Delta Cloud who though well back at two previous runs has trialled well at Oakbank running a close second to Little Neeco and the bottom weight Keely's Gift who will carry 49kg with the claim who also ran second in an Oakbank trial to Prince Blev beating home city winners Rally and Tawtrice.

Race 7 - Clipsal Stakes 1100m - LISTED

Crowd favourite Manetti is in form and has won at the track and trip in the past. A winner of 18 of 47 starts Manetti has won seven of his last 9 starts carrying up to 63kg. He was freshened up after being unplaced at Victoria Park where he endured a torrid run before tiring in the straight. Price of Love has also had Oakbank experience in the past where she led and was run down close to the post over this distance. Resumed with a last start sixth at Sandown and has a record of 25 starts for 6 wins and 8 placings. Wisp has been racing well at the Adelaide metropolitan meetings and looked the winner before Stand By Me stormed home late last time at Victoria Park. Another visitor from the Victorian stables of Alan Bailey is Libidinious who has been in good form in Listed races without breaking through. Her most recent efforts are a second behind Chattanooga and a second behind Suit both of whom would start short priced favourite in this field. Stand By Me is the forgotten horse of the field. Consistent throughout his campaign this former stakeswinner broke through for a well deserved win down the straight at Victoria Park last start and is well down in the weights.

Race 8 - Von Doussa Steeplechase abt 3250m

Despite the Clipsal Stakes being the only black type event for the day this race is the standout for the majority of race fans. A lead up to the Great Eastern it is a highlight of the carnival itself with horses like Jarl last year and Moon Chase specifically targetted. Maybe Rough has raced without breaking through at Oakbank for the past few years and is again a top chance in this race. He has had only two runs since last years Great Eastern and was most recently second to (Our) Profiler at New Plymouth. Jarl is returning for his attempt to win back to back Von Doussa Steeples and unlike last year in entered in the Great Eastern on Monday if he comes through this race well. A winner on the flat he was then third to Mystic Outlaw in a Hurdle before unplaced at Listed level on the flat. Nautilism is last seasons Grand National Hurdle winner and won a steeple trial by 10 lengths last Monday in preparation for this race. He has won three of 5 jumps starts with one placing and a sixth where he was injured in running. Worthy Knight returns for another Oakbank campaign. Now 12 he has run three times at the track for a win a second and fall when brought down by his stablemate in the Great Eastern when well fancied. Worthy Knight won a steeple recently at Flemington and looks a strong chance in this race. (Our) Profiler from New Zealand has won three of six hurdle races and has worked impressively during this week in his debut over the steeplechase fences. Turkey Lane has also been racing well in his Oakbank preparation and is running in this race in preparation for an attempt to win his second Great Eastern.

Race 9 - Malaysia Airlines Johnston Hcp 1900m

Not a feature in itself but has been a race used by many jumps horses to prepare for Mondays races. Hibernian Prince is the standout of that group this year getting ready to atone for his close defeat by St Steven in the Great Eastern last year. Of the flat performers Jeune's Mark is having his first run here but is trained at Lindsay Park and is in great form with a third at Cheltenham then a win at Balaklava in recent runs. Imperial Cross is a previous winner of Mondays Country Cup and though his form isn't too flash has been running over shorter distances in far higher grade. Is suited here and should run well. William of Oz could be a lightweight hope after a recent win at Cheltenham and was finishing well in Saturday company at the same track. Dorfli is another in form and if he handles the track should run well.

Race 10 - Channel Seven Hcp (Div 2) abt 1400m

The final race on a long day is one of the harder races to win. Rorting should start at good odds and was racing well at the provincials around christmas before heading to a break. Trialled recently at Oakbank to win by a head from Counter Capers and Liberal Sally. American import Kuri Bay is another Lindsay Park representative and has found form at the provincials recently. Leon McDonald trained Pieta has two wins and three seconds from 10 starts including a last start win at Cheltenham over Ellawarren Lad. Romeo's Princess is very consistent and should be finishing hard at the line. An outsider to run well could be Astro Guardia if he gets a run. Carrying the bottomweight of 50kg with the claim he ran third in an Oakbank trial behind Mottram and Zip Thea.

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